Australian Ambassador meets political and business leaders and supports economic development in Kalimantan

The Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Greg Moriarty, is visiting East Kalimantan and Central Kalimantan this week to strengthen relations and visit Australian-funded development projects.

Ambassador Moriarty will meet senior officials, including the Governor of Central Kalimantan, Agustin Teras Narang, and Australian business leaders.

He will also visit Australian-funded projects aimed at boosting economic development. In Central Kalimantan, the Ambassador will view an Australian-funded peat land conservation and rehabilitation project with Governor Narang.

This REDD+* demonstration activity, part of the A$100 million Indonesia-Australia Forest Carbon Partnership, protects and sustainably manages forests, improves the welfare of local communities and protects animal species.

“Climate change is a serious global issue and I am very impressed with the Government of Indonesia’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” Mr Moriarty said. “Australia is a proud contributor to global action on REDD+, most notably through our practical climate change projects here in Indonesia.”

The Ambassador will visit some of the 750 households near Palangkaraya in Central Kalimantan where approximately 3750 people have been connected to clean, piped water thanks to cooperation between Australia, the national and local Governments and the communities themselves.

In East Kalimantan the Ambassador will visit mining sites to learn about the contribution of the projects to the region’s economic growth. Australia has provided 90 Australian university scholarships to students from East Kalimantan since 1999 and 71 to students from Central Kalimantan since 2001. The Ambassador will proudly host functions for the alumni of Australian education institutions in both provinces.

Ambassador Moriarty will also pay his respects at a memorial site for hundreds of Australian soldiers killed during the battle of Balikpapan in World War 2.

* Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+): Action to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries.

Media enquiries:
Ray Marcelo, Counsellor, Public Affairs, 08111 873 175, Mia Salim, AusAID Indonesia, 08121070237