RI`s initiative to consolidate tropical rain forest countries hailed

New York (ANTARA News) - Tropical rain forest countries have hailed Indonesia`s initiative to consolidate their (including Indonesia`s) position in efforts to preserve the world`s lungs, a presidential spokesman said.

Dino Patti Djalal made the statement after accompanying President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the opening of a high-level meeting of countries possessing tropical rain forests which was held in conjunction with the United Nations` 62nd General Assembly on Monday afternoon.

Dino added the meeting was an important initiative as it was carried out three months before the Bali Conference slated to be held end of this year. At least 10,000 delegates are expected to attend the Bali meeting.

The fact that Brazil attended Monday`s meeting, he said, was politically important as it was a positive development and progress to consolidate the meeting.

Brazil, he said, was previously reluctant to take part in a similar organization and the fact that Brazil was owner of the widest area of tropical rain forests in the world.

Initially, the forum of tropical rain forest countries was named Forestry Eight/F-8. Later, three countries joined the forum, increasing their number to 11, namely Brazil, Cameroon, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Gabon, Malaysia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Peru.

The meeting of the 11 nations was aimed to produce a proposal to strengthen the role of forests in reducing global warming.