President Jokowi: G20 to Become Catalyst for Global Economic Recovery

President Jokowi talks with Klaus Schwab at the World Economic Forum, Thursday (01/20) virtually from the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java province. (Photo: BPMI/Muchlis Jr)

The momentum of Indonesia’s G20 Presidency must be a catalyst for global economic recovery, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has said.

Report from the Global Risk Report 2022 World Economic Forum (WEF) indicates that as many as 84.2 percent of respondents feel worried about the current world situation due to the pandemic and all of its uncertainties that ensue.

However, according to President Jokowi, this concern must be addressed with real action.

“We have to answer this anxiety with real actions. Indonesia has been making endeavors to make the G20 Presidency in 2022 an important part in responding to these concerns by becoming a catalyst for an inclusive global economic recovery,” he said during a virtual dialog with the WEF Chief Executive Klaus Schwab, Thursday (01/20) in an event titled World Economic Forum: State of the World Address.

For the record, the G20 Indonesia presidency adopts the theme ‘Recover Together, Recover Stronger’.

President Jokowi also remarked that under his leadership, Indonesia will prioritize partnership and inclusiveness and provide a breakthrough platform for transformation efforts in various fields.

“Indonesia’s G20 presidency must bring concrete impacts on recovery and growth of the national economy. The benefits must also be felt for the wider community. We want to make the most of the G20 cooperation to boost trade, industrialization and technological mastery in Indonesia and the world,” he explained.

The Head of State also explained that Indonesia’s G20 Presidency focuses on three main priorities that are in line with national priorities and global conditions.

First, reorganizing global health architecture in order to be more inclusive and responsive to crises.

“We must increase vaccine production with equitable distribution. Investment and funding needed must also be disbursed quickly to prevent further crises,” he said.

Second, digital-based transformation.

President Jokowi also emphasized that optimization of digital technology or economic transformation must be felt by the public, especially by micro, small and medium enterprises.

“We must improve people’s digital literacy and ability. Data security must be maintained,” he said.

Third, the transition to more environmentally friendly and sustainable energy.

The President underscored that to promote the transition, technology that is able to encourage production based on a green economy is needed.

“We need to provide technology and funding. Through technology, we can encourage green economy-based production,” he said.

The President also called on all world economic leaders to contribute to Indonesia’s G20 Presidency.

According to him, the three priorities are investment and opportunities that need to be utilized optimally.

“I’d like to call on all world economic leaders to contribute to the G20 Presidency to ensure a stronger, more inclusive global recovery. Cooperation is not only between the government, not only G to G but also G to B, or even B to B,” he said, adding that the Indonesian Presidency aims to strengthen cooperation with world economic actors by intensifying interaction with each other.

“I entertain the hope that economic actors can offer opinions and concrete actions that can be submitted to be part of the concrete achievements of the G20 Summit,” he said.

In addition to the G20 Summit, the President added, Indonesia will also hold the WEF Roundtable on Downstream Industries, the Bloomberg CEO Forum, and the Digital Transformation Expo.

“Once again, I’d like to invite the private sector to identify real contributions that can be made in three priority sectors: health, digital, and energy transitions. These commitments will be included in the G20 Action for Strong and Inclusive Recovery,” he concluded. (FID/UN) (EST/EP)