The visit was also attended by the WWF CEOs from Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, India, Pakistan, Mexico, Russia, and the Director of WWF Asia Pacific.
The visit celebrated 50 years of WWF's mission in Indonesia, and provided an opportunity to offer WWF’s support for a new international role the President will soon take on.
The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has appointed President Yudhoyono be co-chair of a High Level Panel of Eminent Persons for a Post 2015 Development Agenda - mandated to give feedback and follow up to the global development agenda post-2015- which is the target of the Millennium Development Goals.
During a visit, the CEO of WWF Indonesia, Dr. Efransjah, explained WWF’s aims of ensuring sustainability and equity in the management of natural resources on the planet.
“WWF will continue to support the Indonesian government's efforts to implement the concept of green economy and blue economy, thereby encouraging economic growth in balance with the principles of sustainability and equality," he said.
He noted the Sustainable Development Goals, which will be formulated under the coordination of the Indonesian President, are expected to integrate economic, social and environmental dimensions of development, as well as being in line with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Dr Efransjah said the President had congratulated the 50-year mission of WWF in Indonesia and was eager to continue to deliver the message of conservation to continue the struggle. He said the emerging BRIICs countries (Brazil, Russia, India, Indonesia and South Africa) were a topic highlighted by the WWF, not only because of its potential significance for welfare and equality, but also because of the risks to the destruction of natural resources. He said along with efforts to enhance economic growth, the effect of natural capital and the planet's ability to recover naturally was also becoming increasingly important.
WWF International Director General, Jim Leape, praised WWF Indonesia in playing a key role in promoting the sustainable development agenda post-Rio +20.
He said with the increasing role of Indonesia in international forums, WWF networks around the world stand ready to provide support wherever it can assist, including supporting conservation initiatives across the country declared by the Indonesian President, such as the Heart of Borneo and the Coral Triangle.
"Both initiatives are translating the concept of the green economy (economic and blue) for the welfare of society and social equity, while at the same time strengthening food security in the region," added Leape.
Mr Leape also stressed that the development of oil palm plantations should be directed at the abandoned lands, and called for the Government to facilitate the process so that the abandoned lands were clean and without social conflicts.