Jakarta, September 07 2024, The Europe Today: Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have signed a new agreement to intensify efforts against plastic pollution in Indonesian rivers. The partnership, announced on Friday at the Indonesia Sustainability Forum (ISF) 2024, aims to bolster environmental cooperation between the two nations.
“This partnership marks a significant milestone in enhancing cooperation between Indonesia and the UAE to address environmental challenges,” stated Nani Hendiarti, Deputy for Coordination of Environmental and Forestry Management at the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment.
The agreement was formalized between Clean Rivers, a UAE-based non-profit organization, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), focusing on tackling plastic waste in Indonesia’s rivers. This initiative builds on a memorandum of understanding signed in April between Indonesia’s Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment and the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment.
Hendiarti emphasized the partnership’s focus on reducing plastic leakage into oceans by improving waste management in rivers, utilizing a circular economy approach. Over the next three years, Clean Rivers and UNDP will aim to remove 5,000 tons of plastic waste from five key river areas in Indonesia, while preventing further pollution.
“This collaboration between central and local governments, environmental activists, and communities is essential to reinforcing an integrated waste management system,” Hendiarti added, stressing the importance of raising awareness about waste management among stakeholders and the public.
The clean-up initiative will target rivers in Bekasi (West Java), Surakarta (Central Java), Surabaya and Sidoarjo (East Java), and Badung (Bali).
Deborah Backus, CEO of Clean Rivers, expressed her commitment to addressing plastic pollution in rivers, noting, “This partnership with UNDP is just the first of many projects in Indonesia. Empowering local communities is key to ensuring success. Along with reducing plastic waste, this project will establish a sustainable waste management system and nurture a culture of environmental responsibility for future generations.”
UNDP Indonesia Deputy Resident Representative, Sujala Pant, underscored the need for cross-sector collaboration to support Indonesia’s ambitious goal of reducing marine waste by 70% by 2025. She highlighted the role of local governments, NGOs, and environmental activists in tailoring waste management efforts to the specific needs of each region.
This partnership is expected to have a lasting impact on Indonesia’s battle against plastic pollution, contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable future.
