REMARKS
BY 
H.E. MR. TUPUK SUTRISNO
HEAD OF THE INDONESIAN DELEGATION
TO THE NINTH SESSION OF THE COMMISSION
ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

NEW YORK, APRIL 19, 2001

 

Mr. Chairman,

Distinguished delegates,

Ladies and gentlemen, 

Allow me to begin by congratulating you on your well-deserved election as Chairman. I am convinced that with your professional skills and able guidance we will bring this Ninth Session of the CSD to a successful conclusion.  Let me also associate my delegation with the statement by the distinguished representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran in his capacity as the Chairman of the G-77 and China.

Mr. Chairman,

Given the limited time available for the general debate, I will confine my remarks mainly to the major theme of energy for sustainable development, and only slightly touch upon the other two issues of transport and protection of the atmosphere.  

First, as to the issue of energy, I wish to underscore the outcome of the Asia Pacific high-level meeting on energy for sustainable development organized in Bali from 21 to 24 November 2000.  That meeting identified eight priority areas of particular concern to the region and emphasized the crucial importance of energy for the economic and social development of the region.  It also recognized the variety of regional supply and demand issues and specific priorities in relation to those of other regions.  The meeting also recognized the importance of effective partnership for all stakeholders and considered the critical role of capacity building and the transfer of technology play in addressing all of the key issues related to energy. 

Second, the meeting endorsed the Bali Declaration and the Regional Programme of Action, which provides a regional common platform for addressing the critical issue of energy for sustainable development.  Furthermore, they elaborated specific measures for development strategies and overcoming constraints faced by the countries in the region.  The Bali Declaration expresses the commitment of member and associate member governments of the Economic and Social Commission of Asia and the Pacific to accelerate their common efforts to provide adequate and affordable access to energy services for all in a sustainable manner.  The Programme of Action sets out short-term and long-term measures to be undertaken by member countries, relevant regional and international organizations and all relevant stakeholders in the region.   

Third, building upon the regional inputs and the work of the Ad-Hoc Open Ended Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Energy and Sustainable Development, the crucial issue to be addressed is the need to ensure adequate access for the 2 billion people or two-thirds of the world’s population, mainly living in the rural areas of the developing countries.  In addition, the lack of access to adequate and affordable energy services and their uneven distribution contributes to increasing poverty, underdevelopment, illiteracy, decreased life expectancy, as well as environmental degradation which is due to the continuing utilization of traditional sources of energy in an unsustainable manner.  In this regard, we support the approach pursued by the G-77 and China in addressing the issue and attach great importance of the need to ensure linkages between each of the key issues on energy and the overarching issues of financial assistance, transfer of technology and capacity building. In developing ways and means, we should take into account the different stages of development of each member country and region in accordance with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.

Fourth, it is estimated that an amount of US$ 100 to 300 billion is required annually over the next 20 years to support the necessary infrastructure development in the developing countries. It is also recognized that most of the developing countries do not have institutional structures that can adequately deal with the scale of risks associated with major energy investments.  I therefore hope that this session will be able to provide practical recommendations to meet these requirements by developing ways and means to mobilize the necessary capital investment needed by the developing countries to meet their current energy shortfall.  There is also a need for this meeting to consider strengthening existing mechanisms or proposing new ones that would identify risks and ensure management transparency and effective and equitable partnership between investors and host countries.

Mr. Chairman,

Allow me also to touch briefly on the issue of transport and the protection of the atmosphere, which are intimately linked.  As to transport, we would like to reiterate the essential and positive role that this sector plays in economic and social development. We are also very much aware of the sector’s potential as a major source of air pollution, particularly along the main traffic arteries of large urban business centers.  A major challenge, in this regard, facing the international community is to ensure the availability of modern and affordable transportation facilities, which are a prerequisite for economic growth and development, while at the same time promoting, as appropriate, the reduction of emissions associated with vehicle use that contribute to health and environmental problems.  Thus, I sincerely hope that we will be able to identify ways and means that will bring about improvements in the development of transportation systems so as to ensure the quality of life and environment, particularly in the developing countries.

On the protection of the atmosphere, I would like to briefly reiterate the primary importance that Indonesia attaches to protecting the functional capacity of the atmosphere.  The government has therefore adopted a number of policies and regulations designed to reduce emissions through the implementation of a national blue-sky programme and the gradual phasing out of the use of leaded fuel.  It is also promoting the development of advance fossil fuel in tandem with the increased use of gaseous fuel, which would be assisted by the international community. Likewise, the Government also supports continuing global efforts to address the issue within the context of the Montreal Protocol and welcomes the global work being done to address the uncertainties regarding the detrimental impact of the changing atmospheric composition.  It is also imperative to ensure that the scientific basis for decision-making with regard to greenhouse gases and ozone depleting substances is credible.

Thank you.