November 11 – Day 1

Opening and Welcome Remarks

Rachmat Witoelar delivering opening remarks

Ir Rachmat Witoelar, the Executive Chairman of the National Council on Climate Change of Indonesia, opened the forum and on behalf of the host organization welcomed the approximately 225 attendees from around Asia and the world. Selected remarks from Mr. Witoelar include:

• “There is now a growing awareness and understanding [in Indonesia] of what is happening and how people should respond and contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation actions,”.
• “The green economy and associated investments require transformation, which presents a huge opportunity for developing countries like Indonesia to achieve higher rate of economic growth while addressing important environmental issues, reducing poverty, and resolving other social challenges.”
• DOWNLOAD Rachmat Witoelar’s full remarks.

Mr. Orestes Anastasia, Co-Chair of the Asia LEDS Partnership, and ‎Senior Regional Climate Change Advisor with the USAID Regional Development Mission for Asia in Bangkok, explained the mission and activities of the Asia LESD Partnership as the main organizer of the forum. He thanks all the partners and sponsors for their support, and noted that the Asia LEDS Partnership is a regional, voluntary network that now has 92 organization members and 128 additional individual members.

Plenary Panel 1: Perspectives from Asia on Low-Carbon Green Growth as a Foundation for Sustainable Development

Mr. Rintaro Tamaki, Deputy Secretary-General, Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), opened the session with the lead speech based on a new OECD report, Towards Green Growth in Southeast Asia. Selected comments from Mr. Tamaki include:

• “Southeast Asia is at a crossroads. It’s enjoyed a booming economy and has lifted many out of poverty. But, its current growth is unsustainable.”
• South East Asia’s population is flocking to coastal cities whose future depends on many concerning issues, including coastal flooding.
• “Why have we written an entire green growth report on Asia? Quite simply, because it’s make or break time.”
• “Political leadership is key. Our report urges leaders to move beyond isolated and incremental changes.”

More to follow..