Indonesia government to involve local communities in Redd+ program

Antara 27 May 10;

Oslo (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said the government was committed to involving customary communities in the implementation of the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD+) scheme.

"To manage the program, the government will involve all sides including communities living near forests," Yudhoyono said after the signing of a letter of intent (LoI) between Indonesia and Norway on forest conservation here on Wednesday.

The LoI was signed by Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa and Norwegian Minister of Environment and International Development Erik Solheim at the guest house of Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg.

The LoI is part of the REDD+ scheme in which Norway will provide up to US$1 billion in grants to Indonesia to protect its forests.

By involving all sides in the REDD+ scheme it would become a public movement, Yudhoyono said.

"By doing so, it will be fair for all sides, particularly those living near forests," he said.
To carry out the REDD+ program the government would set up a special body responsible to the president, he said.

The body would coordinate efforts to develop and carry out REDD+ related activities besides receiving funds from donor countries, he said.

It would also coordinate efforts made by Indonesia at national, regional and local levels, he said.

In view of the REDD+ program`s importance, the body would consist of representatives of the central and regional governments, civil society and local communities, he said.

Indonesia has set itself the target of reducing greenhouse emissions by 26 percent in 2020.

REDD+ refers to efforts to establish a global scheme to reduce greenhouse emissions by preventing deforestation and degradation, and enhancing forest-based carbon stocks.