Yudhoyono hopes Copenhagen meeting have political impact

SBY PRESIDENCY. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono hoped the outcome of the UN climate change meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark, in December 2009, would at least cause the countries in the world to make a political commitment.

"I do not know what the Copenhagen meeting would be like, but Indonesia hopes it would be conclusive and reach a consensus, and at least caused the countries in the world to make a political commitment with clearcut targets based on scientific findings," the President told Indonesian journalists in Singapore Monday after attending the 17th summit of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)forum.
But, he added, if the outcome of the Copenhagen meeting could legally bind the countries it would even be better.

"But if the Copenhagen meeting fails, we will have a great deal of homework. Many countries had the experience, if the sea surface continued to rise, many of our small islands will be submerged. Not to mention the long drought, heavy rains, storms, and other natural disasters. Therefore we must be good in preserving our forests, so that they will bring welfare to our people," he said.

The president also called on all the leaders to make a commitment and mandate to the negotiators.

"Many are already pessimistic, skeptic, and start saying that the Copenhagen meeting would fail. They have been asking for my opinion and attitude, ... I told them what we had gone through in Bali the other day. It is based on this experience, that the leaders need to give their mandate and directives, otherwise, everything will fail," he said.(ANTARA News)