Norway and Indonesia to intensify efforts to protect rainforest

Mr Widodo’s Government has previously promised to extend the ban on issuing new logging licences for areas of primary forest. At the meeting with Prime Minister Erna Solberg, Mr Widodo (popularly known as Jokowi) expressed his strong commitment to the rainforest agreement with Norway.

‘I share President Jokowi’s commitment to this area, and I am pleased that Indonesia wants to protect its forests and peatlands while at the same time promoting green growth. By showing that economic growth and ambitious climate-related measures are not mutually incompatible, Indonesia can serve as a model of green growth,’ said Ms Solberg. 

The announcement by President Widodo that Indonesia will intensify its efforts to protect its rainforest comes just weeks after World Resources Institute released data from a study that may indicate that Indonesia’s natural forest loss has declined by 48 % between 2012 and 2013.

President Jokowi and Prime Minister Solberg agreed to intensify the work being carried out under the climate and forest partnership, and will ask the relevant ministers in their governments to agree as quickly as possible on a platform for extending the partnership.

Mr Widodo’s Government has also confirmed that it remains committed to Indonesia’s ambitious climate goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 by 26 % unilaterally and by 41% with sufficient international support.

‘I share President Jokowi’s commitment to this area, and I am pleased that Indonesia wants to protect its forests and peatlands while at the same time promoting green growth. By showing that economic growth and ambitious climate-related measures are not mutually incompatible, Indonesia can serve as a model of green growth,’ said Ms Solberg. 

The announcement by President Widodo that Indonesia will intensify its efforts to protect its rainforest comes just weeks after World Resources Institute released uplifting data from a study indicating that Indonesia’s natural forest loss had declined by 48 % between 2012 and 2013.

President Jokowi and Prime Minister Solberg agreed to intensify the work being carried out under the rainforest agreement (the climate and forest partnership), and will ask the relevant ministers in their governments to agree as quickly as possible on a platform for extending the partnership.

Mr Widodo’s Government has also confirmed that it remains committed to Indonesia’s ambitious climate goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 by 26 % unilaterally and by 41% with sufficient international support.

 

Photo: Øystein L. Andersen/Ambassaden i Jakarta

• More photos from the Indonesia-visit (Flickr)