May 27, 2010. /Lesprom Network/. Indonesia and Norway signed a letter of intent to reduce deforestation, by which Norway will provide up to $1 billion so that Indonesia can protect its forests, The Jakarta Post reported. The letter was signed by Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa and Norway’s Minister of Environment and International Development Erik Solheim at the guest house of Norway’s Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg. Stoltenberg said Indonesia would establish a task force to ensure the grant was used appropriately. “Monitoring the implementation is the key to be able to verify whether the grant [disbursement] is making progress and is really reducing deforestation,” he said. He said that his government would adopt the model it used in Brazil in helping Indonesia to protect its forests. Using the Brazilian model, the grant would be disbursed according to the progress of the projects financed. President Susilo Bambang Yudho-yono said Indonesia still faced many challenges and problems in terms of funds to reduce deforestation. “We have to reduce poverty and increase the people’s living conditions, but we also have to protect our environment in facing climate change and global warming. These are twin aims, although we know we have to deal with this with or without international help,” he said. Yudhoyono praised Norway for providing this contribution to Indonesia to reduce deforestation. “With Norway’s contribution of course we can do better and reach better results. With this we can achieve what we are aiming for,” the President said. Indonesia made a voluntary pledge to cut its emissions by 26% by 2020 and by up to 41% if assisted with international funding.