Launch of the World Bank Forest Carbon Partnership Facility
At the launch of the World Bank Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF)
11 December 2007 in the Karangasem Room, Grand Hyatt Bali
Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,
The last three days, I made an extensive visit to Kalimantan, speaking to farmers, transmigrants, companies and governors. It was an impressive visit. The peatland fires and deforestation schemes demand our urgent attention. Livelyhoods are being destroyed, and so is the environment for years to come. Strict certification of biomass, the development of sugerpalm, integrated reforestation development plans and a community-based approach require urgent action. So does good governance and democracy in order to stop illegal logging. The forests need to have a price, and the Netherlands is financing the development of the Central Kalimantan Masterplan to form a nexus between development and ecology. Multilateral instruments are key to forge a common policy and create a real partnership for Action on Avoiding Deforestation. This requires urgent attention for the poor who might lose income.
In recent months, I have eagerly followed the World Bank’s efforts to create this facility, aimed at helping developing countries to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation.
I appreciate the World Bank’s commitment, and that of Mr Zoellick, and I think it is fantastic that it has been possible to launch the facility today, here in Bali.
I applaud this initiative because it is a partnership not only between developing and developed countries, but also between the public and private sectors, and international organisations and NGOs.
In the interests of poverty reduction, I believe it is essential that stakeholders consider the interests and position of those who rely on the forests for their survival.
It is equally important that, as a potential customer, the private sector remains involved in the process. The private sector’s experience with carbon funds can contribute real added value.
Finally, it is good to see that monitoring of forests will have a prominent role in this facility. Not only from the air, using radar technology, but down on the ground as well. Here too, it is important that those who depend on the forests for their survival should be involved.
For the first time, the relationship between reducing emissions, forests, sustainable forest management and protecting biodiversity has been clearly set out. I am conscious of the fact that this is a new, innovative project which carries certain risks. We must not shrink from them.
It is a great honour for me to be able to pledge a total of fifteen million euros to the two funds behind this initiative. The Readiness Fund is important primarily because it helps developing countries prepare for future participation in the REDD under the Convention on Climate Change. The Carbon Fund is equally positive, and is already delivering immediate, concrete results in a number of participating countries.
As a donor nation, the Netherlands wants to stay closely involved with the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility. There is more work to be done, especially in terms of getting the Carbon Fund fully operational and in persuading the private sector to play its part in reducing emissions related to the forests. When we reach that point, I would consider making an additional contribution. It is important to come to a good selection of pilot countries and we believe two factors to be of major importance : first, the geographical spread, and second, the pilot countries' ability to act as role models for other states in their own region.
The insights we gain from this facility will be highly significant for future climate negotiations. I think it is important to start right now and call on other donors to follow us. The survival of our planet is at stake!
Thank you.