Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The development of mass transportation is one solution to reduce fuel oil consumption, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Darwin Zahedy Saleh has said.

"Indonesia has included such a strategic substance of mass transportation into the agenda of ASEAN+3 meeting," Darwin said in text message to Antara on Wednesday.

The energy minister is in Brunai Darussalam to attend the 29th ASEAN Energy Ministerial Meeting which will be followed by the ASEAN+3 Forum for participation of the ten ASEAN members and three dialog partners China, Japan, and South Korea.

Darwin said the ASEAN+3 Forum would be followed by East Asia Summit, involving the United States, India, Russia, Australia, and New Zealand.

He explained that in ASEAN+3 joint statement, Indonesia managed to include a substance which was less attracting, although it was very important and strategic to reach the target of overcoming climate change problem and accelerating the use of renewable energy.

"The substance is stressing on the importance of improving investment cooperation in mass transportation development to overcome

the trend of increased production and motor vehicle sales," Darwin said.

Darwin said that if the substance failed to gain much attention, it would increase the fuel or energy subsidies, inhibit the growth of renewable energy, and add to the problem of global emissions.

According to him, mass transportation development has the role of addressing the proliferation of private vehicles, reducing carbon emissions, and lowering fuel oil subsidy, as well as enhancing the the state budget.
(Uu.O001/H-NG)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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