JAKARTA - On June 19, the U.S. Agency for International Development Mission Director Andrew Sisson signed an agreement awarding $5 million USD to the Indonesia Climate Change Trust Fund (ICCTF) alongside the Ministry of National Development Planning Deputy Minister and ICCTF Board of Trustees Chairwoman Endah Murniningtyas. This contribution will fund Indonesian non-governmental organizations' (NGOs) climate change programs.

"From changing weather patterns that affect food production, to rising sea levels that increase the risk of coastal flooding, Indonesia faces a wide range of climate change-related threats," said USAID Mission Director Sisson. "The United States is proud to support the Indonesian Climate Change Trust Fund and continue our history of partnering with the Indonesian government to tackle important global challenges.  Climate change is a shared global priority that requires the action of governments, private companies, NGOs, and citizens, and it's impressive that this Fund involves all these stakeholders in Indonesia."

ICCTF pools and coordinates funds from various sources such as international donors, multilateral climate funds, and the Government of Indonesia to support and finance climate change programs and policies. The ICCTF is one of only two nationally managed trust funds in the world dedicated to fighting climate change, so it is seen as a model for many middle-income and developing countries.

"This contribution shows that international partners like the United States are important in Indonesia's efforts to transition to a low-carbon economy and adapt to climate change," said Deputy Minister Murniningtyas.

Indonesia is not only an emitter of the greenhouse gases that cause climate change, Indonesia is among the most vulnerable countries in the world impacted by climate change. The Asian Development Bank estimates that climate change could cause economic losses on the order of 2-7% of annual Gross Domestic Product by the end of the century

USAID support to ICCTF is just one of the U.S. Embassy's climate change initiatives in Indonesia, which demonstrates the breadth of engagement under the U.S.-Indonesia Comprehensive Partnership. In 2015, USAID invested more than $38 million USD for environmental programs in Indonesia. By working together, we can ensure that current and future generations will continue to benefit from Indonesia's natural resources and live in a cleaner and healthier environment.

For more information, visit www.usaid.gov/indonesia or contact USAID Communications Officer Janice Laurente at +62 (21) 3435-9000 or jlaurente@usaid.gov