But, if Asia were to learn the lessons of the west and avoid the errors and if we embrace sustainable development, then the future is very bright.” Mohammed El-Ashry (Egypt): “While being at conferences and meetings is important, we need to go out and see how projects are being implemented, how they touch people’s lives and how they improve the environment.” 37 Environmental Performance We believe it is a regrettable truth that in Indonesia leaving the forests alone is not an option as socio-economic pressures would over time inevitably lead to their destruction.