VP: Limited means for eco-friendly development
VP: Limited means for eco-friendly development
NUSA DUA, Bali (JP): Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri
admitted that the Indonesian government has limited resources to
design a sustainable and environment-friendly development
strategy.
Addressing the opening of the Economic and Social Commission
for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) regional summit on Thursday, the
Vice President lamented the fact that certain countries had tried
to exploit Indonesia's shortcoming in environmental management to
push for concessions in trade.
"We fully understand our knowledge and capability in drafting
such a (sustainable) policy and managing it in an effective
manner, remains insufficient.
"(But) it's unfair if some of us have to face threats of
sanctions while facing difficulties and committing mistakes only
because of inadequate knowledge and proficiency," Megawat said.
She said like other countries, Indonesia had never intended to
design a national development plan which puts the environment at
stake.
No less than 40 senior officials and ministers,
representatives of 16 countries and international organizations,
and some 63 businesspeople are attending the four-day meeting.
Earlier in the day, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources
Purnama Yusgiantoro said participants in the conference would
seek and share ideas on sustainable development. The proposal
drafted in the meeting will be presented to the United Nations
Commission for Sustainable Development in New York in April next
year.
"We also expect to agree on a sort of declaration and action
program," Purnomo said.
Separately, director general of oil and gas Rachmat Sudibyo
said for the sake of sustainable development, the government is
intensifying efforts to find alternative energy sources.
"Gas is the most likely choice, which can be used also for
vehicles. We are developing an integrated distribution system of
gas through pipes which in the future will link Sumatra and all
parts of Java," Rachmat said.
Indonesia's oil reserves of nine billion barrels will be
depleted in 18 to 20 years at the current annual consumption rate
of 500 million barrels. (zan)