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Indonesia reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to protecting Mother Earth at a day-long event, marked by a host of meetings and a rich cultural show, as part of its Climate Change Day celebrations yesterday.
More than a hundred delegates from Indonesia attending the ongoing COP18/CMP8 meetings were joined by an equally large group of international delegations representing different forums and institutions at the event, including HE the Minister for Energy and Industry, Dr Mohamed bin Saleh al-Sada, HE the Minister for Environment Abdullah bin Mubarak bin Aaboud al-Midhadhi and COP18 Organising Sub-Committee chairman Fahd bin Mohamed al-Attiya.
Indonesian ambassador to Qatar Deddy Saiful al-Hadi said the participation of a large delegation from Indonesia, both from the government and NGOs at the climate conference demonstrate his country’s commitment to the core issues of the climate change that he said are deliberated with utmost seriousness at different levels and platforms on a daily basis.
The meeting ‘Business Response to the Challenges and Opportunities of the Climate Change in Indonesia’ was held at the initiative of Indonesia’s National Council on Climate Change, in association with the embassy in Doha.
By hosting major meetings such as the COP18/CMP8, Qatar has left a significant legacy on climate change issues worldwide, the Indonesian envoy said.
“Qatar, which is already a major centre at the international level for holding important meetings, conventions and exhibitions, has once again proved its capabilities to house flawlessly such a huge gathering of more than 17,500 delegates from 195 countries around the world,” said the ambassador.
Al-Hadi also disclosed that more than 200 representatives from Indonesia are attending sessions at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC).
Senior Indonesian government official and head of the Presidential Delivery Unit, Kumtoro Mangku Subroto said he was privileged to associate closely with a widely-deliberated issue such as climate change in his official capacity. The official said the committee that he heads in the Indonesian government is in charge of monitoring as many as 14 critical issues that have a bearing on the day-to-day lives of his compatriots and climate change is one that has been accorded top priority.
The senior official said even though Indonesia had set a growth rate of 7% for its economy in 2014, the country is racing to reduce emission levels by a minimum of 26% by 2020, from the 2005 levels. Subroto said Indonesia is using its own financial and human resources for the purpose and at least 41% of the overall resources used for the purpose are the country’s own.
Every developmental challenge, including the ongoing economic downturn at the international level gives a great opportunity for every country and Indonesia is not sparing its efforts to achieve its targets on such issues as the reduction of gas emissions, he said.
While deliberating on the necessity of putting in place better techniques in achieving better results to counter the adversities of the climate change, the Indonesian official highlighted the importance of having more transparency in every deal.
“We are looking at the issues concerning climate change in not only our backyard but also beyond our geographical boundaries,” said the speaker while making a point on his country’s low carbon market agenda.
“Climate change knows no borders, language and nationality, and the issues associating with it should have a broader outlook, involving the interests of all nations. Utmost in our mind is the overall well-being and welfare of the people across the world,” said Subroto.
The venue of the Indonesian celebrations featured a host of green outlets, highlighting the theme of climate change, and the necessity of developing an eco and environment friendly culture among the population.
After the inaugural meeting, an array of Indonesian traditional cultural items, including some dances by artists flown in from the South East nation was presented to the guests.
Panel discussions on such issues as carbon market partnership, sustainable energy, low carbon development, community actions and climate resilience were held later in the day.
Speakers from a large number of international bodies such as the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, the Japan International Co-operation Agency, Toyota Motor Corporation, the Japanese ministry of Environment, the World Resources Institute, besides a large number of Indonesia-based regional and international institutions and bodies made their presentations.