Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Indonesia to Host Seminar on Environmentally Sustainable Cities
Source: The Jakarta Post


Indonesia will host an international seminar that will contribute to the development of green cities in the Asia Pacific region.

Environment Minister Gusti Muhammad Hatta said Tuesday the seminar, to be attended by representatives of 16 countries across the region, was expected to provide a solution to environmental problems facing cities and offer advice on spatial planning, good governance and financial policies that support the development of environmentally sustainable cities.

"The seminar will result in recommendations to be offered to the East Asian ministerial meeting on the environment in Brunei Darussalam later this year," Gusti said.

Assistant to the environment minister for international cooperation Liana Bratasida said during the seminar participating delegations would exchange ideas and information on activities related to the development of green cities.

She added the seminar would recommend a roadmap to environmentally sustainable development and a framework for a green economy to help the cities reduce carbon emissions.

"Real action must be taken and a framework must be determined during the meeting," Liana said.

She said Indonesia had prepared seven cities for the green program. They are Central Jakarta, Palembang, Pekanbaru, Padang, Surabaya, Balikpapan and Makassar.