Indonesia Engagements

July 2011:

EPA’s Assistant Administrator for International and Tribal Affairs, Michelle DePass, visited Indonesia to participate in the second U.S.-Indonesia Comprehensive Partnership meeting to advance environmental cooperation with Indonesia. The meeting was chaired by Secretary Clinton and Indonesian Foreign Minister Natalegawa, and Assistant Administrator DePass led discussions on green investments and public-private collaboration to improve environmental protection.

During her visit to Jakarta, EPA and Indonesia’s Ministry of Environment (MOE) agreed on a joint workplan under the recently signed EPA-MOE Memorandum of Understanding. Activities will include cooperation to reduce exposure to toxic chemicals, address transboundary pollution, and strengthen environmental institutions. Assistant Administrator DePass also joined Jakarta city officials to convene government, NGO, and private sector partners to launch the “Breathe Easy, Jakarta” stakeholders group, which will work to improve air quality and protect public health in the city through joint development of cost-effective, science-based strategies. She highlighted the critical role that each partner plays in the implementation and success of this program.

Assistant Administrator DePass made several additional visits, including speaking to nearly two hundred high school students about recycling and leading a discussion on green careers with students, NGOs, and representatives from the business community.

June 2011:

EPA signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Indonesian Ministry of the Environment (MOE) to cooperate on environmental protection and sustainable utilization of natural resources. Ambassador Scot Marciel signed the agreement on behalf of EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson. This agreement creates a broad framework of cooperation between EPA and MOE on a variety of shared priorities including air quality, environmental governance, and reduction of toxics.

Also signed during the ceremony was an Annex under the MOU setting a framework for cooperation for the “Breathe Easy, Jakarta” program. Under this partnership program, EPA will work with the Jakarta Administration to gain a better understanding of Jakarta’s air quality challenges and develop cost-effective strategies for improving air quality and protecting public health. Read the press release on the MOU signing ceremony.

February 2010:

EPA’s Assistant Administrator for International Affairs, Michelle DePass, visited Jakarta to advance EPA cooperation in Indonesia and to follow up on the Administrator’s 2009 visit. EPA and Indonesia’s Ministry of Environment agreed to cooperate on joint environmental initiatives, including air quality and environmental governance projects.

The visit to Jakarta also continued the conversation with local NGOs. Assistant Administrator DePass visited Rawa Bebek, a Jakarta neighborhood that has had successful community-driven initiatives on recycling and composting. Read the Press Release on Assistant Administrator DePass’s Engagement.

October 2009:

EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson traveled to Jakarta to represent President Obama at the inauguration of Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. This visit opened a new chapter in EPA and U.S. engagement with Indonesia. Administrator Jackson met with Dr. Emil Salim, President Yudhoyono’s Environmental Advisor, and local non-governmental organizations (NGOs), to hear about Indonesia’s environmental successes and challenges.

She also met with Fauzi Bowo, the Governor of Indonesia’s capital city, Jakarta, and offered technical assistance focusing in particular on air quality. Read the Press Release on Administrator Jackson’s Engagement.