Witoelar runs for top UNEP post

Witoelar runs for top UNEP post

JAKARTA: State Minister of the Environment Rachmad Witoelar
has been nominated by the Indonesian government to run for
President of the Governing Council in the United Nations
Environment Programme (UNEP).

Rachmat said on Thursday that his nomination had received a
lot of support from Asian member countries.

He said that the outgoing UNEP president was from Tanzania and
he believed that the new president would be selected from Asian
countries.

The election for the president will be held during the 23th
Environmental Ministers Forum in Nairobi, which starts in Kenya
on Feb. 22.

"If I am elected as the president, it will be easier for
Indonesia to solve its environmental problems that relate to
other countries, such as toxic waste found in Galang Island, near
Batam, that had been disposed of by a Singaporean company,"
Rachmat said.

He acknowledged Indonesia had not been successful in resolving
environmental problems in the country but claimed the government
was now working hard to protect the environment. -- JP