Indonesia’s commitment in the implementation of REDD+ programs that had been agreed upon between  the Governments of Indonesia and Norway are well maintained. Embassy of Indonesia in Oslo continues  to bridge the communication on the implementation of REDD+ by the Indonesian Government, to the  Norwegian public. This is expressed by Charge d’Affaires ad Interim of the Embassy of Indonesia in Oslo, S.  Sayoga Kadarisman when opening the Indonesian Update Forum themed ‘Promoting Creative Industries

and Sustainable Eco – Tourism in Indonesia’ at the Embassy in Oslo today (Monday, 13/1/2014).

This forum is a means for the Embassy of Indonesia in Oslo to provide updates to stakeholders in Norway  on the positive results from the implementation of the REDD+ programs.

Twelve targeted decision makers and partners of Embassy of Indonesia in Oslo from the industry and civil  society organizations attended the event, among others representatives from Virke (Enterprise Federation  of Norway), Statoil, Rainforest Foundation, Norway Forestry Group, and Athena Prosjekt. “It turns out that  in addition to contributing to the governance of forestry and environment, REDD+ brings a fresh new look  on how the community is able to develop creative industries based on forest management that is  responsible and sustainable,” said Sayoga.

Chandra Kirana, Reiselivsmessen 2014 exhibition coordinator from Daemeter Consulting further explained  that another thing needs attention is the strengthening of the management of products from the  communities surround the forests such as vanilla, coffee, cinnamon, chocolate, forest honey, and various  sugars made from coconut and high-quality palms, all of which have been cultivated by the community for  generations in a sustainable manner. “In realizing the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from the  forest sector, the input of the community that manage the forests, and NGOs that support them to  penetrate markets such as Perkumpulan Indonesia Berseru need to be adopted in developing policies on  REDD+,” she pointed out.

Diplomacy to the parties in Norway this time was conducted through a multimedia approach, such as  through movies, websites, and e-catalogs developed by Indonesian Nature Film Society (INFIS). This was  combined with face-to-face dialogue and the opportunity to try and feel the products. Thus, the

government’s program to reduce emissions through REDD+ actually strengthens communities who  depend on the forest. The presence of representatives of civil society and green entrepreneurs from  Indonesia in this forum, namely Daemeter Consulting, Borneo Chic, Sabai Bag and Luggage, Indonesia  INFIS, Javana, and Javara, giving the feel of it to the stakeholders in Norway. Daemeter Consulting is an  independent agency that promotes sustainable development.

Borneo Chic and Sabai Bag and Luggage are companies focused to enhance the value of forest products  by the local community. Javana produces guitars from certified wood. Javara forest sells food products.  While in INFIS, young entrepreneurs produce nature film documentaries. The event, which invited a  number of stakeholders in the public sector, NGOs, academics and actors business in Norway, begins with  a documentary entitled ‘Sustaining Forest Sustainable Livelihoods in Indonesia,’ followed by presentation  and discussion entitled ‘Turning Market Potential into Sustainable Business and Address the Challenge of  Climate Change’.

Head of the committee/First Secretary for Economic Affairs of Embassy of Indonesia in Oslo, Hartyo  Harkomoyo said the forum also managed to bring together green entrepreneurs with their counterparts in  Norway to collaborate in developing the capacity of the creative industries and expanding their markets. In  addition, this forum is hoped to be have a positive impact. Explaining the background activities of  Indonesian Update Forum, Hartyo said that in the middle of last year, there were quite a lot of news about  forest fires and forest management issues in Indonesia in the Norwegian media. “It is time for us to give a  positive meaning, to establish a dialogue between civil society conducting field activities in Indonesia with  partners in Norway,” he added.

This article first appeared in the website of Green Indonesia, a platform to promote forest-based  green initiatives developed by Daemeter Consulting and partners. For more information,  visit http://www.greenindonesia.org