YUDHOYONO ADMINISTRATION TURNS INDONESIA INTO ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS COUNTRY by Fardah

   Jakarta, Sept 27, 2014 (Antara) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was once described as a "different kind of leader" by the President of the World Resource Institute (WRI), Andrew Steer.

         Steer had spent eight years in Indonesia and seen firsthand how the country had approached its economic and environmental challenges.

         "We live in perilous times," Steer said. "We need innovative and out-of-the-box thinking. Today, we have a leader who is an out-of-the-box thinker."
    Steer had made the statement while presenting Yudhoyono with the first-ever "Valuing Nature Award" in New York in September 2012.

         The award was bestowed upon Yudhoyono by The Nature Conservancy, World Wide Fund for Nature and WRI, in recognition of his leadership in creating the Coral Triangle Initiative---an effort spanning six countries and seeking to protect millions of hectares of coral reefs.

         President Yudhoyono is a recipient of several other international awards, as well.

         In 2011, the United Nations named him the "Global Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction."
    Moreover, he received the UNEP Award for Leadership in Promoting Ocean and Marine Conservation and Management in 2010, as well as the Global Home Tree Award for his commitment to preserving the country's vast forests, from Richard H Greene.  
    In May 2012, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon entrusted Yudhoyono, British Prime Minister David Cameron and Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to co-chair the "High Level Panel of Eminent Persons" to work on the post-2015 framework of the Millennium Development Goals.

         During the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) leaders' gathering, held on the occasion of the United Nations Climate Summit in New York on September 23, the GGGI leaders nominated Yudhoyono as the next Chair of the South- Korea-based climate change body.

         South Korea, as GGGI's host country, was represented at the gathering by President Park Geun-hye.

         "I would like to sincerely congratulate President Yudhoyono, a world-class leader who has led Indonesia for the last 10 years. I firmly believe that GGGI will further develop under his new leadership. (South) Korea will actively cooperate and support GGGI, as well," President Geun-hye remarked.

         Perhaps, Yudhoyono did deserve those awards and recognitions.

         Under his leadership, Indonesia's position in international environmental standards fundamentally changed over the past five to 10 years. It moved from being a country ridden with environmental problems to one that offers crucial initiatives to help solve global environmental issues.

         "In the past, Indonesia saw a lot of problems, particularly ones concerning forest preservation, but it is now a country that provides solutions," Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Marty Natalegawa told the press in New York on September 24, on the sidelines of the 69th UN General Assembly Session.

         Indonesia has not only played a role in various international developmental issues, but has also taken a lead in finding solutions, Natalegawa added.

         The international environmental actors' map has changed, particularly with regard to Indonesia's role, the foreign affairs minister further noted at the UN headquarters.

         Over the last decade, Indonesia came up with a number of policies regarding the environment and demonstrated a strong commitment to promoting it as a crucial element in national development programs.

         "Indonesia has given priority to forests as part of its efforts to preserve the environment, and now provides solutions in this regard," Natalegawa reinstated.
    The minister pointed out: "The change in position (from being a country with environment issues to one that provides solutions to preserve it) is a result of all our hard work. Once again, our efforts have changed our position. Earlier, Indonesia had set a carbon reduction target, one that developing nations rarely do, and now, India and China follow our model."
    In his speech at the GGGI leaders' gathering in New York, President Yudhoyono said that conservation of the environment had become a passion for him.

         Population explosion, the rise of thoughtless consumption in developing economies, the irresponsibility of corporations in extractive industries and other forms of assault against the environment are all clear threats to the life on Planet Earth.

         "Therefore, we need an effective way to support sustainable development and promote a better development model. Today we confirm our faith in an economic growth that complements environmental conservation," Yudhoyono affirmed.

         He emphasized the need for decisive action to achieve climatic mitigation and adaptation. "We must adopt a framework of economic development that does not damage the environment. We must embrace a low-carbon economy that results in minimum greenhouse gas emissions," he stressed.

         Yudhoyono will hand over the Indonesian presidency to President-elect Joko "Jokowi" Widodo in October 2014, after having served the country since October 2004.

         He expressed the hope that the incoming government would adapt his policies regarding climate change issues and sustainable development.

         "What has been implemented in Indonesia is already correct and on the right track. I hope the next government pays it the same kind of attention," he remarked. ***3***
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