It is for our environment as well as world environment, and for our children`s children in the future."Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The non-governmental environmental organization, Greenpeace, is the partner of Indonesia in preserving the environment for a better future of the nation, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has said.
"I ask Greenpeace to remain the partner of Indonesia with its task to remind and criticize Indonesia of things that the country has to improve. And again I would like to extend my gratitude to Greenpeace for what it has done to the world in general and to Indonesia in particular," President Yudhoyono said at Tanjung Priok harbor here on Friday.
The head of state made the remark after visiting the Greenpeace newest ship, Rainbow Warrior III which is berthing along Tanjung Priok port after sailing from Papua.
President Yudhoyono, together with First Lady Ani Yudhoyono, his granddaughter Almira Tunggadewi Yudhoyono, and his daughter-in-law Anisa Pohan, visited the Greenpeace ship at 8.30 on Friday morning.
"It is for our environment as well as world environment, and for our children`s children in the future," President Yudhoyono told the newsmen on the deck of Rainbow Warrior ship.
According to him, the government of Indonesia has a high commitment to preserving the environment through various programs that have been carried out.
He said Indonesia has set itself a target to reduce carbon emission of up to 26 percent in 2020 by preventing deforestation and protecting the forest for lumber.
The Government has carried out moratorium on deforestation and executed the program of planting one billion trees annually.
"It is our tangible effort. Although there is always a challenge, the result can be seen year after year," the president said.
He also expressed hope that the Greenpeace would also explain to the world about positive things Indonesia has done to preserve the environment.
"If Indonesia has done many positive things, the Greenpeace should not forget to explain it to the international community that the country indeed has a high commitment to preserving the environment," the president noted.
(Uu.O001/F001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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