Mexico and Indonesia have many things in common. Our emerging economies are among the world’s 20 largest and we have strong export sectors, which are mainly oriented to the world’s largest markets.
We are among the world’s 25 most populated countries and have made great efforts in order to improve our social indicators in the last decades.
As part of G20, Mexico and Indonesia have manifested our commitment to guide our economies toward a resilient, sustainable, and green recovery path after the 2008 financial crisis.
We share similar challenges as well. Our countries are among the most diverse countries in the world and host endemic animal and plants species severely threatened by climate change. We are highly vulnerable to the negative impacts of global warming and will suffer many of its unavoidable effects, such as widespread land degradation, water scarcity and intense rain and drought seasons.
All these impacts are endangering our hard earned social and economic development gains. These effects will not be limited to our borders. Both our countries are situated in the most vulnerable areas in the world: Southeast Asia is the most populated region and, together with Mexico and Central America, is one of the most affected by hurricanes and other water-related phenomena.
Thus, ambitious agreements to stabilize global temperatures are necessary in order for our countries and businesses to prosper in the future. Both Indonesia and Mexico have stated our determination to address the threats climate change poses for human development and security and believe all countries, regardless of our degree of development, should be partners in building a more equitable and sustainable world economy.
Mexico and Indonesia agree it is in the best interest of all developed countries, those with the largest historical responsibilities and capabilities, to acquire and/or increase the level of ambition of legally-binding commitments.
We also believe it is in the best interests of all emerging economies to increase climate action as our underlying strategy for further growth and development, since large sectors of our populations and those of our neighbors are highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
Thus, notwithstanding our position as developing countries, we have both pledged to voluntarily reduce our emissions as a sign of regional leadership and of the personal commitment of both President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and President Felipe Calderon to address climate change.
The 16th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the 6th Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol, which will take place in Cancun, Mexico later this year, provide an important opportunity for all countries to commit to ambitious, pragmatic and realistic actions to face climate change.
Throughout the year and as incoming Presidency of the Conferences, Mexico has been working hard to facilitate understandings among countries and to move forward the multilateral process. Our aim is to achieve an outcome that is ambitious, effective and that can be implemented immediately.
Several important processes are taking place worldwide and it is in our interest to ensure that such processes converge and strengthen the United Nations as the main universal body to deal with climate change.
For example, the Oslo agreements will contribute to create and enhance capacity in developing countries to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. Both Indonesia and Mexico are strongly committed to reduce their emissions from deforestation and, building upon existing processes, we should ensure a sustained action in this area that benefits developing countries.
Cancun will not be the end of the road for the climate change regime. We must continue to make definite progress on specific issues. Achieving substantial agreements between 194 Parties in consensus-based processes has never been an easy task.
Yet, Mexico is confident we will be able to achieve this goal. Both Indonesia and Mexico share a commitment for a more prosperous, equitable and sustainable future. Both our countries stand to benefit greatly from an ambitious outcome in Cancun. As two major emerging economies, it is our duty to lead.
The writer is Minister of Foreign Relations of Mexico.
