Jakarta - Today (14/9) WWF awarded "The Leader for the Living Planet Award" to Prof. Dr. Emil Salim, for his dedication, leadership and contribution to environmental conservation and sustainable development in Indonesia and the world.

"The Leaders for a Living Planet Award" is an award given by WWF to individuals in the world who contribute significantly to nature conservation and sustainable development. Since its inception 12 years ago (2000), more than 100 people have received the award including former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, the Norwegian Minister of Fisheries, the Prime Minister of China and the Ministers of Water Affairs of France, Togo and Benin. The Leaders for a Living Planet Award.

"WWF highly appreciates Emil Salim's outstanding dedication and commitment. Not only is Emil Salim an inspiration and role model for the people of Indonesia, but he is also an inspiration for the global community," said Jim Leape, Director General of WWF International when presenting the award in Jakarta.

"Emil Salim is a figure who has consistently championed the principles of sustainable development in national policy. For more than four decades, since the 70s until today, he has continued to push for economic development to be balanced with social and environmental development, so that the level of economic growth can be in line with the principles of sustainability and equality," said Dr. Efransjah, CEO of WWF Indonesia.

Emil Salim also played an important role in building and strengthening civil society in an effort to encourage environmental and biodiversity conservation. In 1996, Emil Salim became one of the founders of the WWF Indonesia Foundation, leading the conservation organization to become a legal, independent, incorporated entity in Indonesia.

In addition to being a key figure in the 1992 Rio de Jeneiro Earth Summit - which laid the foundation for a political declaration on development and the environment - Emil Salim also played an important role in determining the Indonesian government's policy on global climate change mitigation in various international forums on the framework for climate change (UNFCCC) and biodiversity (CBD).

"The Leader for the Living Planet Award" was presented to Emil Salim during WWF's 50th anniversary celebration in Indonesia. The event was attended by at least 100 invited guests including representatives of NGOs, Private Sector, Government and WWF CEO representatives from Russia, Mexico, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Pakistan, and WWF Indonesia staff from Sabang to Merauke.

For more information contact:

• Irwan Gunawan, WWF Indonesia, igunawan@wwf.or.id, +62 81218245706
• Desmarita Murni, WWF Indonesia dmurni@wwf.or.id, +62811793458

About WWF Indonesia:
WWF-Indonesia is a national conservation organization that is part of the WWF global network, the world's largest and most experienced independent conservation network. WWF-Indonesia is currently active in 27 fieldwork areas in 17 provinces, ranging from Sumatra to Papua. Supported by around 400 staff, WWF works with the government, communities, the private sector, NGOs, civil society, and the public at large. WWF Indonesia is supported by around 40 thousand supporters in the country.WWF began its work in Indonesia in 1962, conducting research on Javan Rhinos in Ujung Kulon as part of the WWF International program. In 1998, WWF had official status as a foundation to become a legal, independent, incorporated entity in accordance with Indonesian regulations. Visit the websites www.panda.org and www.wwf.or.id.

About ""The Leader for the Living Planet Award"
The "Leaders for a Living Planet" award for WWF figures aims to recognize individuals who have personally made a real/significant contribution to world nature conservation and sustainable development. In addition to elevating and honoring the achievements of these figures, WWF gives this award to profile their leadership in the environmental field which is expected to be an example and inspire the wider public.

The award is a symbolic gesture, enabling WWF, together with the government, private sector, communities and organizations they represent, to acknowledge their achievements and encourage even more significant action. The award is a symbolic gesture.

Successful conservation achievements are always the result of the actions and inspiration of one or more distinctive individuals who inspire others to join them. These individuals can be the catalyst for much larger conservation actions and movements - beyond their expectations.

WWF believes that only through ambitious, cooperative and inspirational action can the destruction of the world's environment be halted in favor of a world where people and nature can live in harmony. When collectively supported, multiplied and scaled up, such actions can make a major contribution to saving the status/condition of the planet we live on - for now and future generations.

Notes To The Editor:
A short biography summarizing Prof. Emil's achievements and contributions is attached.

Emil Salim
Prof. Dr. Emil Salim was born in South Sumatra on June 8, 1930. His love for conservation started from his childhood, living in an area close to the forest in Sumatra. His parents came from Koto Gedang Village in West Sumatra. His uncle Agus Salim was one of the founding figures of Indonesia and was the Minister of Foreign Affairs in the early 50s.

The role that Emil Salim has played in the environmental conservation and sustainable development agenda has been global, influential beyond the borders of his country. He was a member of the UN World Commission on Environment and Development (1984-1987), Vice-Chairman of the UN High Level Advisory Council for Sustainable Development (1992), Chairman of the World Commission on Forests and Sustainable Development (1994), Chairman of the 10th UN Commission on Sustainable Development (2001-2002), Chairman of the Preparatory Committee for the World Summit (2002), and Chairman of the 3rd ASEAN Environment Ministers Conference. With all these positions, Emil Salim has voiced and championed the alleviation of environmental problems in developing Asian countries.

Domestically. Emil Salim held different important positions for 30 years, namely as Vice Chairman of Bappenas (1970-1973), Minister of Transportation, Communication and Tourism (1973-1978), Minister of Environment and Development Supervision (1978-1983), Minister of Population and Environment (1983-1993), Chairman of the National Economic Council (2001-2002), and member of the Presidential Advisory Council (2007-2009) and then since March 2010 became Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Council.

The third pillar of his contribution to the environmental agenda is lecturing on sustainable development and actively encouraging the work of NGOs at the national level. A lecturer at the Faculty of Economics at the University of Indonesia since 1972, Emil Salim continues to teach today. He is also the founder of the WWF-Indonesia Foundation and founding chairman of the Biodiversity Foundation (KEHATI) and the Indonesian Ecolebeling Institute (LEI). Emil Salialjabar is a member of the Asia Forum on Environment and Development (2002-present), member of the Advisory Board to the President of ADB (2009-present). Emil Salim is also the Head of Delegation to the UNFCCC (2007).

Emil Salim has won numerous awards including the Bintang Mahaputera Adiprandana (Republic of Indonesia, 1973), Golden ARK (Commandeur) (The Netherlands, 1982), Paul Getty Award (USA, 1990), The Hamengkubuwono IX Award from Gajah Mada University (2003), the Zayed Prize for Environmental Action Leading to Positive Change in Society (2006), Mercu Buana University Award (2006), The Blue Planet Asahi Prize Award (2006) as well as the Sarwono Indonesian Science Institute Award. Emil Salim also received Honorary Doctorates from University Kebangsaan Malaysia (1995) and Bandung Institute of Technology (2009).

Address
Jl. Taman Patra XIV, Blok M 13, Kav. 10-11, Kuningan Timur, Jakarta 12950 Tel: (021) 526 4062, 527 4871 Fax: 526 4063, 527 4871 Email: esalim@rad.net.id