Moving towards sustainability: Together we must create the future we want

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President Yudhoyono,
Secretary-General Ban,
Ladies and gentlemen,

I appreciate having this opportunity to discuss how we can move towards a more sustainable future with such distinguished leaders.

If we are to address one of the biggest challenges of our time, climate change, we must address the issue of deforestation.

By reducing deforestation, we could achieve up to one third of the needed emission reductions by 2020.

That is why forest conservation is key when embarking on a path to sustainable development.

The problem today is that it is currently more profitable to convert forest to other uses than to leave it as a natural ecosystem – at least in the short term.

In today’s global markets, forests are worth more dead than alive.

We must change that equation.

The decision not to fell a tree, but to leave it standing must pay off.

At the same time, we are becoming increasingly aware of the enormous value of natural ecosystems for our economy and welfare.

Forests provide us with unique biodiversity.

They are nature’s own carbon capture and storage facility.

And they represent the beauty of wilderness.    

Reducing deforestation and forest degradation can help us achieve some of the largest, fastest and cheapest cuts in global emissions.

If we are to succeed, we must be willing to take on the necessary commitments.

Developed countries must provide adequate, predictable and sustainable funding.

And this funding must be based on results.

Developing countries must put in place efficient national policies and systems to verify reductions and build capacity.

In order to achieve this, we must put a price on carbon.

I would like to commend president Yudhoyono and his government for their vision and their plans for a green growth revolution that will benefit all Indonesians – today and in the future.

This will not be easy, and it will require fundamental reforms.

But it is possible to cut deforestation and achieve sustained high economic growth at the same time.

Brazil has cut deforestation by about 70 %, and at the same time its economy has grown by about 30 % and the value of its agricultural output by about 20 %.

Indonesia now has a unique opportunity to do the same.

Developed countries must support these transformation processes.

We must respond by providing substantial and predictable results-based support.

When countries like Indonesia set ambitious climate goals, they need to know that if they deliver, the international community will share the burden with them.

This will stimulate governance reforms, spur innovation and encourage sustainable investment.

Our goal is to offer a partnership of equals.

Giving countries full ownership of their development strategy.

And supporting them as they deliver on their own goals.

Thank you.