STATEMENT
BY
THE INDONESIAN DELEGATION
ON THE PROTECTION OF THE ATMOSPHERE
AT
THE INTER-SESSIONAL AD-HOC WORKING GROUP
ON TRANSPORT AND ATMOSPHERE

NEW YORK, 7 MARCH 2001

Mr. Co-Chairpersons,

Let me begin by commending the Secretary-General for his report and expressing my appreciation to the Director for Sustainable Development Division for her short and enlightening introduction of the report of the Secretary General on protection of the atmosphere and its other related documentations. My delegation wishes to associate itself with the statement delivered by distinguished delegate of Islamic Republic of Iran on behalf of the G-77 and China. 

Mr. Co-Chairpersons,

At the outset, let me reiterate what we noted in our intervention yesterday on the issue of transport, that the continuing increase of CO2 emissions emanating in particular from this sector, is mainly caused by the industrialized countries.  In addition, the Secretary-General has further indicated that this trend will continue for at least the next 20 years. The current pattern of unsustainable energy consumption and production as well as emissions from the transport sector, particularly in the developed countries, are considered the major cause of the deterioration of the earth’s atmosphere together with other human activities with direct impact on the atmosphere.  As in its last meeting, the IPCC reported on the strong scientific evidence that pointed to the relation between unsustainable human activities and atmospheric deterioration. This conclusion is also shared by the Byrd Polar Research Center of Ohio State University in its report regarding the erosion of the glacial ice cap of Kilimanjaro.

Taking into account that the earth’s atmosphere is considered as one of the three basic interacting domains that make up the earth’s environment system, the protection of the atmosphere from further destruction is of growing concern to all of mankind. The protection of the functional capacity of the atmosphere is an environmental issue of primary importance to Indonesia due to its multiple functions, which make it a vital support system for the earth. In this regard, my delegation welcomes the progress achieved in addressing the uncertainties concerning the extent of the detrimental impact of the changing atmospheric composition. We also welcome the global efforts to improve the scientific basis for decision-making with regard to greenhouse gases and ozone depleting substances. As party to the relevant international agreements, Indonesia has, in close collaboration with relevant international organizations and donor community, undertaken a number of initiatives aimed at growing the awareness of all segments of societies on the detrimental effects of ozone depletion to human and animal health and encouraging all stakeholders to take concrete action in promoting the protection of the atmosphere.

The global campaign to increase awareness and to take concrete actions should not be limited in the developing countries. The growing scientific evidence on the relationship between unsustainable human activities and  the protection of atmosphere should be acted upon in the developed countries both at the decision making level as well as in the community at large. Despite the progress made in phasing out the production of ozone-depleting substances (ODSs), which were considered largely responsible for the destruction of the ozone layer, further concrete efforts should be undertaken to reduce the detrimental health effects of the existing ODSs that are already trapped in the atmosphere. In this regard, the commitment of the donor countries to periodically and adequately replenish the multilateral fund of the Montreal Protocol is imperative and the role of the relevant international organizations is also crucial in addressing this critical issue.

Mr. Co-chairpersons,

The control of transboundary air pollution and the impact caused by both human activities and natural disasters also need to be vigorously addressed. Regional transboundary pollution due to smoke and haze caused by the forest fires in South East Asia in the recent past was also been addressed within the context of regional and sub-regional cooperation with close collaboration and support from the Government of Japan as well as the relevant international organizations such as WMO, WHO and UNEP. The establishment of a programme to address the transboundary smoke and haze problem in the South East Asia region in June 1998 needs to be followed up by concrete action with assistance from relevant international organizations and donor countries.

As indicated earlier the issue of protection of the atmosphere and control of regional transboundary air pollution is of crucial importance to the Indonesian Government. A number of initiatives undertaken by the Government to support concrete action in the field needs to be supported by the international community and relevant international organizations. In this connection, the relevant government agencies under the coordination of the State Ministry of Environment has been preparing regulations to ban the importation of ODSs.  In addition, the Government is also promoting the use of interim alternative material to substitute the use of ODSs and is encouraging their domestic production. The national blue-sky programme launched by the Government  as one of the national initiatives is intended to promote the reduction of  emissions by gradually phasing out the use of leaded fuel.

To support the various national initiatives, my delegation wishes to avail of this opportunity to urge the international community, including the relevant international organizations, to double their efforts in the area of financial constraints and the lack of technical as well as human capacities in the developing countries.  This is important if we are to take advantage of the existing momentum to address the issue through adaptive measures, adaptive capacities as well as to return to the previous condition. In this regard, my delegation welcomes the recommendation by the Secretary-General on the way forward as covered in his report on the sub-section of capacity building, education and training and public awareness. In addition, the mobilization of new and additional financial resources, as reflected both in Agenda 21 and the further implementation of Agenda 21, is of fundamental importance so as to enable the developing countries to participate fully in concrete action to protect the atmosphere.

Thank you.