The results of the meeting attended by scientists from 28 countries and delegations from 15 countries, were summed up by Jan Sopahelawukan, chairman of the event`s organizing committee at a press conference,
"It was as if we received an extraordinary impetus to keep up the spirit for the cause of and concern for the preservation of delta regions. We were reminded that delta regions can support the continuity of human civilization and have a life-giving effect on the world`s entire ecosystem to enable it to improve," Jan Sopaheluwakan said.
He said the summit brought together world figures who cared for deltas, the environment and climate change problems, scientists, academics, practitioners, international institutions such as the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, UN agencies, and Delta Cities Connecting groups.
There are 18 points achieved from the 2011 Delta Meeting that raises issues on the delta problem both in urbanized delta and delta in rural areas, he said.
Within the next two decades, world population will inhibit 60 per cent of the Delta region as water catchment areas and more prone to extreme flood and storms.
In order to save the delta region requires a coherent, simultaneous and continuous effort, which also involves the local level of government because it involves the allocation of budgets, handling of resource conflicts and local climate change adaptation, he explained.
Supporting aspects such as technology and megacities plans should be used with careful planning by considering environmental protection for sustainable development
The efforts also would improving social quality and adaptability of local communities, especially in terms of eco-physical and socio-ecological quality.
Responsibility sharing and long-term commitment are the key actors in managing the Delta region which can be done through sharing of experience and knowledge.
The action also needs to be done in a common political commitment and supported by global coherent financing mechanisms while considering the role and responsibilities of each actor in the country and local level, he said.
The 2011 Delta Summit results will be taken to the 17th United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which will be held in Durban, South Africa, in December 2011 and the Conference of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development which is also called the Earth Summit Rio +20 will be held in June 2012 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
While Indonesia would again be entrusted with hosting another high-level meeting on deltas in 2013, he said . (*)
Editor: Kunto Wibisono
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
