REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, NUSA DUA - Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono met Hungarian-American business magnate, investor, and philanthropist George Soros on Tuesday afternoon in Bali to discuss on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) deal between Indonesia and Norway, Coordinating Minister of Economy Hatta Rajasa stated.
"Soros gives us a good view. He also praises Indonesia for REDD+ concept," Rajasa said on Tuesday. Soros agreed that the moratorium of primary forest and peatland must become the focus.
Rajasa said REDD+ could prevent deforestation. "We must protect our peatland. Any damage can create high contamination," he said.
The meeting on REDD+ was held before High Level Panel on Post-2015 Development Agenda led by SBY and Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. British Prime Minister David Cameron, who is one of the co-chairs, cannot attend the event and will give his views through video conference.