Indonesia

Let me first of all say that it is an honour for me to speak on agenda item 95.a on behalf of ASEAN member countries which--, includes, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. We would like to take this opportunity to associate ourselves with the statement of the Chairman of the G-77 and China. Allow me also to express our sincere appreciation to the Secretary-General for his reports and for his efforts in ensuring the effective preparations for the 1O-year review of progress achieved in the implementation of Agenda 21 and the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21. Let me also voice our support for the IACSD in its efforts to foster closer coordination within the UN system including between the relevant international organizations together with other major groups which is designed to address the lack of effective programme delivery caused by constraints as is recognized in the Secretary-General's reports.

Despite progress made over the past 8 years since Rio, particularly in the development of policy frameworks and environmental agreements, the state of the global environment continues to deteriorate. This is also true for Asia and the Pacific region. The various reports indicate that many countries in the region are experiencing extreme environmental stress across a number of areas. These include, among others, the deteriorating quality of urban air, declining water resources both in terms of quality and quantity , losses in biodiversity and diminishing coastal resources.

Asia and Pacific with its unique geographical character, socio- economic condition, rapid economic growth coupled with enormous population expansion which, taken together, put tremendous. Pressures on regional eco-systems. One such pressure is that of rapid urbanization. It is predicted that in 2015, Asia will have 27 of the world's 33 largest cities. It is also recognized that if environmental degradation is not reversed, three of the world's most precious bio- geographic realms such as the world's highest mountain system of Himalayas, the enormous endowment of rainforests and the world's largest coral reef will be in grave risk of destruction. Moreover, if we add into the equation the recent financial crises in the region and the prevailing magnitude of poverty, unemployment and environmental stress, it raises a serious concern that in their efforts to regain economic growth and momentum, countries may find it too difficult to also promote sustainable development and have as a result relegated it to a backseat on their respective development agendas.

We also recognize the vulnerability of Small Island Developing States in this region. In this regard, urgent steps are required to implement the Barbados Programme of Action and the outcome of the 22nd UNGASS on the review and appraisal of the implementation of Programme of Action for the sustainable development of Small Island Developing States. Furthermore, we were also disheartened to see a few weeks ago in the New York Times a compelling image on the acute shortages of fresh water and acute economic problems in central Asia. Having considered these adverse conditions described above, we believe the international community should take strong and immediate steps to reverse them. We should urge such steps as a matter of priority

In meeting these formidable challenges, we should also reiterate our commitments to fully implement Agenda 21 and the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21. Such implementation has become increasingly essential to ensure that development cannot be achieve by squandering the natural resources and at the same time we cannot fulfil the needs of today by sacrificing the need of the future generations. In this regard, we should welcome the various measures undertaken by international organizations including the GEF, the Conferences of Parties of various environment conventions and urge them to further enhance their efforts to accelerate the implementation of Agenda 21. Likewise we should commend those that have fulfilled their commitments in meeting the ODA target of 0.7% of GNP.

Despite the financial crisis that struck many Asian economies and beyond in 19971 and within the bounds of our limitations and constraints, we have been able to draw up and initiate our best efforts in implementing our national and regional strategies. In the Regional Action Programme for Environmentally Sound and Sustainable Development, we adopted time bound action plans and programmes and committed ourselves to implement the provisions sets out in all the relevant outcomes of UNCED. Improvements have also been made in updating environmental laws and policies, strengthening institutions in the areas of environment compliance and policies, improving decision making processes for greater accountability and transparency as well as striving towards greater capacity building and the formulation of national conservation strategies and national Agenda 21

At the national level, progress has also been achieved particularly in areas such as intensifying our efforts in reforestation, the conservation of bio-diversity, the revival of rivers and the rehabilitation of coastal areas. However, despite such gains, there are regrettably a number of indications that the pressures of negative environmental change continue to outpace the best efforts of nations both individually and collectively to make progress. This is largely due to such constraints as the lack of capacity, technological capabilities- and financial resources.

One of our critical challenges in the Asian region is to raise the consciousness of all sectors involved. Thus, the need to mobilize adequate political commitment and to promote awareness, interest and involvement of national governments, major groups and all relevant stakeholders, is of critical importance for accelerating the implementation of Agenda 21. It is within this context, we feel strongly that the ownership of the people from this region should be enhanced by holding the forthcoming event for the first ever, on the Asian continent and thus, the opportunity to become involved directly and passionately with this issue will help to reverse the dangerous trends prevalent today. It is precisely for this reason that we believe the support of the international community is essential which would help encourage the people in the region to become more deeply involved.

There is no doubt that organizing the Rio + 10 in Asia and the pacific region will not, in itself, magically produce a solution that has clearly escaped us to-date. But, we strongly believe that by organizing the conference in the region, it will greatly enhance the .sense of urgency, awareness and ownership among all the people and therefore, heightening their motivation to translate all the commitments undertaken at the regional and global levels into concrete actions. But these efforts alone will not suffice. They should also be accompanied by serious efforts particularly on the part of the developed countries and all relevant international organizations to, implement, as a matter of priority, all their commitments, particularly concerning financial assistance, the transfer of technology and capacity"~~1LQing based on the spirit of partnership

Implementation of Agenda 21. It is within this context, we feel strongly that the ownership of the people from this region should be enhanced by holding the forthcoming event for the first ever, on the Asian continent and thus, the opportunity to become involved directly and passionately with this issue will help to reverse the dangerous trends prevalent today. It is precisely for this reason that we believe the support of the international community is essential which would help encourage the people in the region to become more deeply involved.

There is no doubt that organizing the Rio + 10 in Asia and the pacific region will not, in itself, magically produce a solution that has clearly escaped us to-date. But, we strongly believe that by organizing the conference in the region, it will greatly enhance the sense of urgency, awareness and ownership among all the people and therefore, heightening their motivation to translate all the commitments undertaken at the regional and global levels into concrete actions. But these efforts alone will not suffice. They should also be accompanied by serious efforts particularly on the part of the developed countries and all relevant international organizations to, implement, as a matter of priority, all their commitments, particularly concerning financial assistance, the transfer of technology and capacity building based on the spirit of partnership

Turning to the preparations for Rio+10, we support an early start and one that is of a high-quality nature. We also support the work of the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) as the central forum for the reviewing progress and should also endorse the necessary first steps by laying down and agreeing upon principles and commitments at the highest level. We should fully utilize whatever momentum that has been generated and we should seek to avoid repeating the mistakes and negligence of the past. Organizing Rio + 10 in Indonesia would set, I believe, a good example for the international community to draw lessons. I say this since Indonesia is a country with the fourth largest population in the world and is currently undergoing a major transition towards a more democratic government and civil society system while at the same time facing tremendous economic problems after the financial crisis, to continue to give high priority to the issue of environment and sustainable development and not to assign them to a backseat among its national development priorities. 

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