Statement by
The Indonesian Delegation
before
the second committee
of the 57th general assembly
on
agenda item 87 (c):
Protection of Global Climate for Present
and Future Generations of Mankind
New York, 15 November 2002
Mr. Chairman,
Let me first thank Ms. Joke-Waller-Hunter,
the Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC, for her insightful presentation
of the report on the outcome of the recent COP 8 in New Delhi. We
also fully associate ourselves with the remarks by the distinguished
representative of Venezuela on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.
We would also like to take this opportunity to express my delegation’s
sincere appreciation to the Government of India for its warm hospitality
in hosting the 8th COP of the UNFCCC.
Mr. Chairman,
Indonesia attaches great importance
to thorough-going discussions on climate change as one of the most
serious threats to the World’s environment, human survival and security.
The overwhelming scientific consensus is that rising concentrations
of manmade greenhouse gas emissions leads to global warming and, therefore,
concrete collective efforts are crucial to significantly cut global
emissions if the ultimate objective of the Framework Convention is
to be reached.
While climate change endangers the
future well-being, ecosystems and the economic progress of all countries,
it is the developing countries that will suffer most. Drought and
floods that destroy crops and property, rising sea levels and spreading
deserts as well as health hazards and the contamination of drinking
water, all take an enormous toll on the poorest and most vulnerable
developing countries.
Mr. Chairman,
The Marrakesh Accords adopted last
year, after several years of tough negotiations, have moved us further
towards the operational phase. They established rules, procedures
and institutions for implementing the Kyoto Protocol and, together
with the Johannesburg plan of implementation and the Delhi Declaration,
should greatly help the Kyoto Protocol in fulfilling its major task
of ensuring a five-percent cut in greenhouse gas emissions by developed
countries over the next decade.
The recently held COP 8, like the
Johannesburg Summit, marks a transition from forging agreements to
an increasing focus on implementation. Yet, there are still a number
of constraints that must be addressed if we are to make progress in
the path of implementation. Two such major concerns of the developing
countries include access to financial resources and technological
support. The GEF, as the designated financial
mechanism for the UNFCCC should greatly help to support, among other
things, the implementation of the Convention, concrete adaptation
projects and programmes and the monitoring of diseases and vectors
affected by climate change. We also welcome the full operationalization
of the CDM and the establishment of the various funding mechanisms
within the framework of the UNFCCC.
As to technological support, in addition
to the adoption of a policy framework for enhancing the transfer of
technology, the Delhi Declaration called for further development,
dissemination of, and investment in innovative technologies as well
as the strengthening of technology transfer. In this regard, we also
welcome the concrete steps taken in the UNFCCC to facilitate and promote
activities for technology transfer.
For the developing countries,
the answer lies largely in integrating their concerns on climate change
into their sustainable development strategies. This would involve
integrating such issues as, new energy sources for the developing
countries, rural electrification that replaces traditional sources
of firewood and charcoal, energy efficiency, renewable energy resources,
the cleaner use of fossil-fuels and promising innovations in technologies.
Mr. Chairman,
By way of conclusion, let me say that,
for our part in Indonesia, we are determined to reach our national
objectives of reducing emissions for the period of 1998–2003. We have
thus embarked on a strategy to increase energy efficiency, to slowdown
the growth of emissions and to stabilize them. In addition, for the
period 2003 to 2020, the government has decided to continue this energy
efficiency and emissions reduction-based strategy from land transportation.
To reach that objective, the government has sought to mobilize the
participation of government agencies, industries and other relevant
stakeholders including through the promotion of general awareness
programmes. Steps have also been taken, among others, to reduce and
gradually phase out leaded fuel and to promote the increased use of
gaseous fuels particularly for public transportation.
Thank you.
