09.01.2013 -
Berlin - Dirk Niebel is continuing his tour of Indonesia, holding further meetings and visiting projects that form part of German-Indonesian development cooperation.
At his meeting with the Minister of Forestry, Zulkifli Hasan, discussion focused on the two countries' work together on green issues. Niebel commented, Paradoxical though it may seem, if the rainforest is not used commercially, its very survival is under threat. Instead of completely shunning tropical timber, it is better for people to buy sustainably produced timber from tropical forests and make sure it is certified or labelled. Sustainable management of forests helps to protect them over the long term. And, at the same time, it also helps local communities and local businesses, who make a living from the forest.
Dirk Niebel will also be travelling to Solo in Central Java, where he will visit a German-Indonesian project in the field of vocational education that has now been successfully completed. The Minister said, The concept that was applied here, with Germany's support, proved successful. So now the Indonesian government is refining it and applying it in more locations. That shows true ownership on Indonesia's part.
The last stop on the Minister's tour will be North Sulawesi, where he will be finding out about planned German-Indonesian development projects in the field of renewable energies. Germany has committed itself to support Indonesia's national geothermal programme at the sites of at least two power stations. Looking to the future, it also plans to support Indonesia in efforts to ensure that the smaller and more remote islands also gain access to clean, sustainable forms of energy. Niebel commented, Our involvement in the field of renewable energies clearly shows how important Indonesia is to Germany as a partner in international efforts to mitigate climate change.
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