G20 Leaders Visit Ngurah Rai Forest Park in Bali
President Jokowi invites G20 leaders to Ngurah Rai Forest Park, Bali, Wednesday (11/16). (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat)
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo together with the leaders of G20 countries, international organization, and other invitees visited Ngurah Rai Forest Park, Denpasar city, Bali province, on Wednesday (11/16) morning. The visit was part of a series of activities during the G20 Summit under Indonesia’s presidency.
President Jokowi who was wearing white long-sleeve shirt arrived at the forest park at around 07.50 Central Indonesian Time. While waiting for the guests, the President had a conversation with international media officials who were also invited to take a walk around the forest park.
The guests started to arrive at the location at about 09.30 Central Indonesian Time and were welcomed by President Jokowi.
The leaders joining the activity were, among others, President of Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Mathias Cormann, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mexico Marcelo Ebrard Casaubon, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Kristalina Georgieva, Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, President of Senegal Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Korea Yoon Suk Yeol, and President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa.
Also joining the activity were President of European Commission Ursula Von Der Leyen, Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sanchez, President of European Council Charles Mitchel, Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Shien Loong, Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte, President of the USA Joe Biden, Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, President of France Emmanuel Macron, dan Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni.
Afterwards, the Head of State invited the leaders to take a walk around the area of Ngurah Rai Forest Park.
Then, the President and the leaders took part in the session of planting mangrove together at the area of wooden elliptic platform. The mangrove planting session was a historical moment which is parallel with the vision of G20 “recover together, recover stronger”. It also signifies the joint commitment of the world leaders to overcome the climate change as well as to restore and conserve the environment.
After the planting session, President Jokowi and the leaders have a joint photo session. President Jokowi who is assuming the G20 presidency took the position at the center flanked by Prime Minister of Italy (the former presidency) at the left side and Prime Minister of India (the next G20 presidency) at the right side. Meanwhile, the other leaders were standing before the mangrove trees that will be planted.
The Head of State and the leaders then proceeded to inspect the seeding house and the locals who were planting and using planting media.
For the record, besides being home to a wealth of biodiversity, Ngurah Rai Forest Park, Bali is also home to a number of important religious and cultural sites. In addition, it also has a water conservation called Beji.
Indonesia boasts the biggest mangrove area in the world with 3.36 million hectare area and 157 mangrove species throughout the country, which accounts for 23 percent of the total mangrove area in the world. (MAY/UN) (AW/MUR)
