"We can prevent deforestation in West Kalimantan and mitigate consequences of global warming."Ketapang, West Kalimantan (ANTARA News) - U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission Director Glenn Anders and West Kalimantan Governor Cornelis M.H. here, Wednesday witnessed the signing of partnership agreements between USAID Indonesia Forest and Climate Support Project (IFACS) with district governments, the private sector, and civil society.
The agreement will coordinate efforts to reduce deforestation in approximately four million hectares of Kalimantan`s forests and mitigate the impact of climate change, which can affect the livelihoods of people in the surrounding areas, the US embassy said in a press release.
"USAID is committed to working with local governments at provincial and district levels and logging companies to help Indonesia manage its precious natural resources in a sustainable way," Anders said.
"By working together, we can prevent deforestation in West Kalimantan and mitigate consequences of global warming," he added.
The $40 million dollar USAID IFACS program just one of the U.S. Embassy`s environmental initiatives in Indonesia under the U.S.-Indonesia Comprehensive Partnership.
The USAID IFACS program integrates climate change, sustainable forest management, and low-carbon emissions activities that help the government of Indonesia strengthen local government, civil society, and private sector expertise on conservation and sustainable management of forest resources, biodiversity, and ecosystem services.
The USAID IFACS program signed a memorandum of understanding with seven logging companies to incorporate best management practices into the companies' natural forest logging concessions and reduce impacts to local forests.
USAID IFACS also signed a grant agreement with Lembaga Dayak Pannarung to establish a rubber seedling nursery and out-growers program in Banama Tingang Sub-district. These activities will be done in partnership with the district governments of Ketapang, Melawi, Kayong Utara, Singtan, and Sekadua.
The USAID IFACS program is just one of the U.S. Embassy`s environmental initiatives in Indonesia, which demonstrates the breadth of engagement under the U.S.-Indonesia Comprehensive Partnership.
(Tx.T.F001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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