Indonesia has impressed participants in a recent United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) held in Nairobi, Kenya, for its initiatives in environmental protection and its active role at the multilateral level, Indonesian Environment Minister Balthazar Kambuaya said Monday.
"The first UNEP meeting held Nairobi, Kenya, from June 23 to 27, has recognized Indonesia's advancement and role in dealing with environmental issue either at the domestic level or at the multilateral level," Balthazar said in a statement.
The minister, who led the Indonesian delegation in the high- profile meeting, said that he obtained positive responses from 112 ministers attending a high-level segment session held during the meeting, where he explained the nation's action plans concerning the Sustainable Development Goals and Post 2015 Development Agenda, which includes the Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) plan.
He said that Indonesia emphasized the importance of achieving post 2015 development goals through holistic and integrated efforts. The minister added that Indonesia has implemented the UNEP's 10-year National Policy Framework for SCP Implementation in Indonesia so as to make the consumption and production process sustainable in the country.
"Indonesia has submitted the SCP in its national development plans for 2015 to 2019. It was materialized in constrictions of numerous mini and micro hydropower plants and garbage banks," the minister said.
The first UNEP's UNEA event was attended by about 1,300 participants from 162 UN member countries, international organizations and non-government organizations.
Erik Solheim, the head of Assistance Committee at the Organization of Economic Cooperation Development (OECD), who acted as the moderator of the meeting, praised Indonesia and President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's commitment to addressing environment issues.
He said that Indonesia was able to integrate government and private sectors in promoting sustainable development in the palm oil industry, the backbone of the nation's export sector.
Kambuaya added that during the meeting, Indonesia expressed its full supports to multilateral efforts in tackling illegal wildlife trade. Indonesia has been taking part in Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, the international mechanism aimed at preventing illegal wildlife and plant trade.
Indonesia supports the idea of synergizing UNEP and CITES in addressing illegal trade of wildlife and plant, the minister stressed.
Indonesia also has proposed to set up a law enforcement cooperation mechanism to fight against the activity of harboring illegal trade of wildlife and plant.