Palangkaraya - The Indonesian Heart of Borneo National Working Group (Pokjanas HoB) supported by WWF-Indonesia and FORCLIME-GiZ today (2/12) launched the document "Strategy for Implementation of Development in the Heart of Borneo through Green Economy Approach" in Palangkaraya.

The document explores strategic sectors in each province in the HoB that contribute significantly to economic growth. At the sectoral level, the implementation of a green economy in the HoB region can be developed in the timber forest products sector with the application of the Principles of Sustainable Forest Management (PPHL) and the Timber Legality Verification System (SVLK), the application of ISPO (Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil) for oil palm plantations, the application of responsible mining, the utilization of biodiversity for the production of "bioprospecting", the development and utilization of NTFPs (non-timber forest products) and the application of Payment for Environmental Services (PES) systems and mechanisms.

"Green Economy is a new economic paradigm, which can encourage income growth and employment, while reducing the risk of environmental damage, and is expected to be able to realize sustainable development." said Dr. Prabianto Wibowo Mukti, Chairman of Pokjanas HoB Indonesia. "We hope that the document launched today can be used as a guideline for Provinces and Districts in HoB in implementing a green economy for the welfare of the community and the preservation of HoB's natural resources," continued Dr. Prabianto.

This document was prepared by a team of academics from 3 universities in Kalimantan namely Tanjung Pura University (Untan), Palangkaraya University (Unpar) and Mulawarman University (Unmul) and 3 other universities in Java namely University of Indonesia (UI), Gadjah Mada University (UGM) and Bogor Agricultural University (IPB). In addition, the drafting process was facilitated by FORCLIME-GIZ and WWF-Indonesia.

WWF-Indonesia CEO, Dr. Efransjah said "The implementation of green economy as a development vision in HoB requires the active role and cooperation of the government, private sector, civil society groups, academia and local communities. Thus, a green economy in the HoB will be able to encourage the realization of sustainable development that is inclusive and adheres to the principle of equality in the HoB."

"Mainstreaming Green Economy principles such as climate change mitigation or biodiversity conservation in development planning, and improving sustainable livelihoods of communities in and around forests in the HoB region are key objectives of one of FORCLIME's strategic areas", said Heinrich Terhorst, Green Economy Strategic Area Manager, FORCLIME-GiZ.

In his written remarks, Ir. H. Achmad Diran also expressed similar sentiments, "Through the Heart of Borneo initiative and the cooperation of the relevant parties, a concrete and measurable step is needed in realizing the balance between natural resource protection and green economic growth in the province. This will support effective forest management that can help reduce carbon emissions, improve ecosystems, and provide economic benefits to surrounding communities, which are the main objectives of green growth."

The launch of this strategy document was conducted during the seminar 'Realizing the Green Economy Concept in the Heart of Borneo Region", which was opened by the Deputy Governor of Central Kalimantan Province, Ir. H. Achmad Diran, and attended by the Expert Staff of the Minister for Public Welfare and Poverty Reduction, Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs and Prof. Emil Salim, an expert on sustainable development, who delivered the keynote speech. Participants were representatives of provincial and district governments in the HoB area, representatives of government ministries/agencies, the private sector, international development agencies, NGOs and academics.

Through this strategic document and seminar, it is hoped that an understanding of the green economy strategy in HoB will be built and the implementation strategy book launched will become an implementable reference because it contains clear strategies with measurable indicators.

For further information, contact:
Dr. Prabianto Mukti Wibowo, Chairman, Pokjanas HoB Indonesia
Email: prabianto@gmail.com, Hp: +62 811 112045

Heinz Terhorst, Strategic Area Manager-Green Economy, FORCLIME-GiZ
Email: heinrich.terhorst@giz.de, Hp: +62 813 84577704

Elisabeth Wetik, HoB Stakeholder Engagement & Program Facilitate, WWF-Indonesia
Email: ewetik@wwf.or.id, Hp: +62 813 98713882