Ratification of UN pact on environment sought

JAKARTA (JP): The government has submitted proposals to the House of Representatives (DPR) to ratify two United Nations conventions on environmental preservation which were signed at the first Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro two years ago.

State Minister of Environment Sarwono Kusumaatmadja held a hearing with the DPR on Monday to discuss the proposals to ratify the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Sarwono said the two conventions are vital to Indonesia's efforts to preserve its mass wealth of natural resources.

Indonesia's biodiversity has been eroded through a combination of excessive use of natural resources, population pressure, the globalization process and ignorance, he said.

Climatic changes caused directly or indirectly by human activities could lead to destruction of the ecosystem, he said. "Changes in global climate affect life on earth, especially the environment."

The conventions stress the importance of preserving the environment for the continuation of human life on earth. Soeharto, who attended the Rio summit, signed the conventions on behalf of the Indonesian government.

Sarwono strongly urged the House to ratify the documents.

"By ratifying the conventions, we will not lose our sovereignty over natural resources." (par)