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em>Despite the governments of developing nations adopting the Manado Ocean Declaration (MOD) recognizing the impact climate change has on oceans, Indonesia - the host and initiator of the world's first ocean conference - is now facing an uphill battle getting the MOD onto the negotiation table for the Copenhagen climate conference later this year. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has ordered the Climate Change National Council (DNPI) to coordinate efforts to register the MOD with the UN system. DNPI executive chairman Rachmat Witoelar, also Indonesia's state minister for the environment, spoke with The Jakarta Post's Adianto P. Simamora on the sidelines of the ocean talks in Manado, North Sulawesi, from May 11-15, 2009.

Question: What's the next step after nations agree to adopt the Manado Ocean Declaration?

Answer: The Indonesian government, through the Climate Change National Council (DNPI), will officially report the outcome of the Manado Ocean conference to the formal bodies at the United Nations. In this case, we will take our findings directly to the United Nations Framework Climate Change Convention (UNFCCC), which deals with issues of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

The UNFCCC will host the Copenhagen climate conference in December but before that we still have about four or five UN inter-sessions on climate change. At these, we will try to submit the Manado Ocean Declaration. Hopefully we will get it on the table for the Copenhagen meeting.

Aside from these formal proceedings, we will also make use of informal meetings to push for the inclusion of ocean issues at the UNFCCC. These could prove even more effective for our cause. I will attend the second meeting of the Major Economies Forum in Paris. I will submit the Manado outcome, which highlights the importance of oceans in mitigating climate change, to the forum. It will be attended by leaders of industrialized nations, including the United States.

In that respect, the world will recognize that oceans are an integral part of saving the world from the impacts of climate change and as an Indonesian, I am proud of our nation's initiative to make ocean issues a key focus. This is not only for the benefit of Indonesia, but for the entire world. It is not only the wish of my President *Yudhoyono*, but for all the nations that attended the Manado conference. Furthermore, if we fail to launch this initiative, we will not have access to funding available in the UN for the environment.

How optimistic are you about getting the MOC onto the negotiating table in Copenhagen?

After seeing the response at the Manado conference, I can say that I am very optimistic. Oceans have come to the forefront of attention for world leaders, and the media also focused on the need for nations to push for efforts in combating climate change.

Everybody is also keen to conserve marine environments and their inhabitants. The conference was very good in building public awareness about protecting our oceans.

We will also soon establish a special team, from all departments but mainly the Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry, to promote climate change ideas that include oceans.

What are the benefits for the Indonesian people by getting the Manado declaration into the UN system?