The International Biodiversity Conference on Sustainable Development closed here Saturday, urging the central government to help Papua preserve its natural environment for sustainable development.
"This conference recommends the central government implement an agenda and regulations that support the establishment of conservation forests," organizing committee chief Noak Kapisa said. "All parties including the government, the private sector and locals must obey the regulations."
Speaking in his closing remarks, Noak said the conference also recommended Papua become a leading force in reducing harmful emissions over the next seven years by undertaking a conservation project and preserving Papua's unique ecosystem.
Papua has been asked to introduce an environmental education project in educational institutions from elementary schools to universities, Noak said.
"The conference also recommended a special agency be established to manage the aforementioned recommendations, without doubling up on the existing government and private institutions' policies that manage environmental issues in Papua," he said, citing a plan to establish a research center in Papua.
He said the recommendations would also be presented to the second UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Copenhagen next month.
Around 400 scientists, environmentalists, government officials and residents participated in the four-day conference.
Responding to the five recommendations, Papua Governor Barnabas Suebu said the residents of Papua and the central government must work together to encourage the international society to preserve the environment for the future.
"I challenge all parties to better conserve Papua's natural environment," Barnabas said. "Hopefully we can be an example for other countries.
"Let us save Papua, Indonesia and the planet."
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