REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesia is committed to managing forests sustainably and accelerating the use of renewable energy, President Joko Widodo stated.
"The use of renewable energy is expected to reach 23 percent by 2025, and electrification in rural areas will reach 100 percent in 2019," President Widodo stated at a press conference here on Wednesday.
Indonesia's commitment was conveyed by President Widodo during a meeting of the heads of state and government at the 21st session of the Conference of the Parties (COP-21).
The commitment was presented along with 17 other countries: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Congo, Ethiopia, France, Gabon, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, Liberia, Mexico, Norway, Peru, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
The promise was delivered by the president as the lives of one billion people are directly related to the forests, while six billion are indirectly affected by forest-related issues.
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With regard to the use of renewable energy, President Jokowi stressed Indonesia's commitment to accelerate the use of renewable energy.
"Indonesia has a clear policy direction on the use of renewable energy," he noted.
The president urged developed countries to reduce emissions and increase international cooperation as well as to contribute on climate change issues.
On the sidelines of the conference, President Widodo held bilateral meetings with 13 heads of state and government from the Netherlands, Norway, Serbia, Peru, Vietnam, Iran, the Philippines, Colombia, Papua New Guinea, Japan, Madagascar, and Mexico.
During the meeting, the president held a discussion on concrete efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation with friendly countries.
Around 150 heads of state and government were present to offer political support for an agreement to cope with global warming.
President Widodo and First Lady Iriana arrived at the Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, Jakarta, at 10 a.m. local time after visiting Paris, France, to attend the COP-21 of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
President Widodo had earlier expressed hope that the climate meeting in Paris would end with an ambitious agreement to make the earth a better place and to improve the people's welfare.
"Reaching an agreement in Paris is a must. I hope we are all part of a solution to make the earth a more convenient place for our children and grandchildren," Jokowi told 147 heads of state and government during the Leaders' Event here on Monday.
He said the Paris climate agreement should reflect balance and justice in line with the nation's priorities and capability to ensure sustainable development though not affecting the growth of developing countries.
"In order to arrive at an agreement in Paris, all countries, especially advanced nations, should contribute to mitigation and adaptation efforts," he remarked.
The contribution could be through the mobilization of US$100 billion financing until 2020 to be increased in the coming years along with the transfer of environmentally friendly technology and capacity expansion.
As one of the countries having the largest forests that serve as the lungs of the world, Indonesia chose to be part of a solution, the president affirmed.
"I am here to lend strong political support for the success of the COP-21," he added.
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