REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, NADI -- President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono believes that green economy has become a new economic paradigm, which promotes economic progress without harming the natural riches and resources.

"We need green economy because our world today is facing a great challenge from the impact of climate change. This is the reason why Indonesia has taken steps to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.

By 2020, we aim to cut our emissions by 26 percent using only our own resources, and up to 41 percent with international support," President Yudhoyono stated in his keynote address during the Second Summit of the Pacific Islands Development Forum here on Thursday.

More than two-third of Indonesia's greenhouse gas emissions are caused by deforestation, peatland fires, and forest degradation. By seriously fighting deforestation and preventing loss of peatlands, Indonesia has contributed towards the global efforts to mitigate climate change, he added.

Yudhoyono pointed out that Indonesia has included green economy as one of the essential pillars of its national sustainable development.

"In my view, we need to apply three strategies to achieve a green economic system. Firstly, sound policies. Secondly, appropriate choice of science and technology as well as the use of indigenous knowledge. And third, persistent efforts to promote 'need not greed' as an outlook," the President outlined.

These strategies have guided the government in the implementation of its National Green Growth Program.

Also critical to Indonesia and the Pacific Island countries is blue economy, which will increasingly become the next frontier.

As the world's largest archipelago with over 17 thousand islands, large and small, Indonesia has always been a maritime nation.

"For decades, the international community has been giving significant attention to land-based solutions to climate change. However, we have yet to fully explore the potential of oceans and coastal areas in addressing the impact of climate change," he noted.

Yudhoyono believed that the green economy and blue economy are complementary.

Blue economy is an integral part of the green economy, which is a concept often referred to as "a green economy in a blue world", he added.

Some 500 participants, including those from 16 member countries of the PIDF Summit, are attending the event, which is being held in Fiji on June 18-20, 2014.

Ikuti Whatsapp Channel Republika