President SBY Praised for Indonesia's Commitment to Environment

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (Antara) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was fast in taking decision on Indonesia's commitment to the climate change during the Copenhagen conference in Denmark, according to UNEP's chief. While other countries were still reluctant to support the target achievement in accordance with the required standard, President Yudhoyono immediately expressed the commitment, United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) Executive Director Achim Steiner said in response to a question posed by Antara senior journalist Johnny Tarigan during a press conference here on Monday. The press conference was organized following National Forum on Green Development held in conjunction with the World Environment Day observed on June 5. Mongolia has been chosen to host the World Environment Day commemoration internationally. Stenier said it was not always easy for a country including Indonesia to make a policy concerning two sides of closely related interests, namely the economic growth and the environment. In Indonesia's case, the economic interest concerns the development of oil palm plantations, while the environment concerns the preservation of forests for the survival of flora and fauna. In this case, Indonesia particularly in Kalimantan has tried to harmonize the two benefits respectively from the economic development and the environmental preservation, he said. "The point is one should know the problems first and decide the appropriate steps to address them, such as regarding information saying that 70 percent of wood being circulatedin Indonesia is from illegal logging activities. There are indeed many challenges, but the opportunities are also very promising," he added. Mongolian President Elbegdorj Tsahia in his opening speech during the forum being attended by around 1,000 participants, said he has cut the number of mining companies from 46 to 12 under the green industry program. The Mongolian government has asked the people to participate in the environmental preservation program, he added. (*)