SBY Urges Bali Delegates to 'Save This World'

Jakarta Globe, Fidelis E. Satriastanti, February 24, 2010

Delegates from around the world have gathered in Nusa Dua for the UNEP conference. (JG Photo/JP Christo)

Nusa Dua. Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is urging countries to use the United Nations Environment Program meeting in Nusa Dua, Bali, to resolve deadlocks on climate change ahead of this year’s Mexico Climate Talks.

Speaking at the opening of a global ministerial forum, Yudhoyono said nations “cannot wait any longer” to deal with human impacts on the world’s climate.

“We need to finalize the climate change negotiations at the Mexico climate talks by end of this year,” said Yudhoyono on his speech. “I hear that there will be an informal meeting in Bali concerning the issue and I urge all of you to use this forum to find the best solution.”

“I think that we’re still not too late to do our best to save this world.”

Delegations from 130 countries have gathered for the Bali meetings, which will focus on sustainable development, eco-friendly economies and biodiversity. The ministerial meeting will be the first since last year’s Cophenhagen climate talks, which were largely deemed a failure since they did not produce a legally binding agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Those gases are believed to be increasing the world’s temperature, melting glaciers, raising sea levels and causing potentially catastrophic disruptions to the environment.