RI to develop green economy: president

Antara News, Thursday, June 3, 2010 20:56 WIB

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said Indonesia would develop a green economic concept in an effort to improve the welfare of the people and overcome the threat of climate change.

The president made the statement when he addressed the fourth anniversary celebration and the launch of the new logo of the `Jurnal Nasional` newspaper here on Thursday.

"The green economy has become a kind of new economic ideology in the world in the 21st century," the head of state said.

Green economy is needed because the world today is facing a great challenge from climate change the impact of which is already being felt with the emergence of a number of crises in the world such as food, energy and water crises, Yudhoyono said.

"Green economy is a life style in the world and in Indonesia, a system which does not exploit to the full energy and natural resources," he said.

The president said a green economic system could be achieved by applying three strategies, namely correct policies, contribution of science and technology and efforts to develop the people`s non-greedy, efficient mindset.

He said t from now on Indonesia should begin to reduce its dependence on fossil energy.

On the occasion, the president also asked the media`s support in disseminating to the public the need to stop using fossil fuels, to turn to renewable energy, to develop environment friendly agriculture and to be aware of the importance of water conservation.

The president was accompanied by among others Mrs Ani Yudhoyono, Youth and Sports Minister Andi Mallarangeng, Public Works Minister Djoko Kirmanto, Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Djoko Suyanto, Maritime and Fishery Affairs Minister Fadel Muhammad, Women Empowerment and Child Protection Minister Linda Amalia Sari, Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Hatta Rajasa and Presidential Spokesman Julian A Pasha.