Indonesian President Thanks CIFOR

The importance of CIFOR's research received the Presidential seal of approval at CIFOR's 10th Anniversary celebrations at Indonesian President Megawati's Palace in Bogor.

The ceremony celebrated CIFOR's tenth year in Indonesia and was attended by some 200 people, including the Indonesian President, Ibu Megawati Soekarnoputri, Dr. Muhammad Prakosa, Indonesia's Minister of Forestry, Ambassadors, donor representatives and CIFOR partners.

President Megawati presents a small tree to a student from a local primary school.

"I wish CIFOR a happy anniversary (and) success and progress in its endeavors to achieve its noble objectives," said President Megawati. She congratulated CIFOR on its successes and for the role its research plays in assisting Indonesian efforts to meet the challenges in the country's forest sector.

Minister Prakosa also complimented CIFOR on its achievements saying he was "pleased to see that in the 10 years since it was established, CIFOR has become a leading international research institution in forestry."

"We, at the Ministry of Forestry, have also obtained benefits from CIFOR's presence here in Indonesia with collaborative programs to improve the capacity and capability of our research institution. A number of our staff have worked with international researchers at CIFOR to gain experience and knowledge through joint research programs.

"CIFOR has also made significant contribution to us by generating new ideas, provoking dialogue and providing high quality analyses about the relationship between forest and people.

"I am confident that CIFOR will continue to make an important contribution to both international and national dialogue on forest policy by helping to shape the debate and providing crucial analyses of complex and often politically sensitive issues," Minister Prakosa said.

"CIFOR thanks all its supporters for recognizing the importance of
forest research in reducing poverty and protecting the environment," said David Kaimowitz, CIFOR's Director General. "Indeed, using forest research to reduce poverty and protect the environment is really what CIFOR is all about. Put simply, CIFOR's mission is to find ways for rural people to use forests sustainably to earn a living."

"In December1995 the Government of Indonesia designated 300,000 hectares of forest in East Kalimantan, to be developed as a model of exemplary forest management. This is an example how the Government of Indonesia has supported CIFOR's research activities," Minister Prakosa said.

David Kaimowitz described the Malinau Research Forest as "a living laboratory of all the social, economic, and biological changes taking place in the world's tropical forests."

"Undoubtedly Malinau is one of the world's most exciting forest projects, and for that we need to thank the Government of Indonesia, the Bupati of Malinau, Pak Marthin Billa, the Ministry of Forestry, and local villagers. We also thank important donors such as the ITTO, the MacArthur Foundation and the Governments of the United Kingdom and Germany," Kaimowitz said.

Some 30 journalists covered CIFORĘs 10th Anniversary with stories appearing on the front page of Indonesia's major daily, Kompas, other major newspapers and on several TV bulletins.