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