President Jokowi, European Council President Discuss Global Issues

President Joko Widodo has a bilateral meeting with the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Italy, Sunday (31/10). (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/Laily Rachev)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo discussed global issues, including the latest developments in Afghanistan, with the President of the European Council Charles Michel during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Italy, Sunday (31/10).

On that occasion, President Jokowi explained the measures taken by Indonesia to support Afghanistan, while President Michel said that Indonesia, as the country with the largest Muslim population in the world, has good experience with Afghanistan.

President Jokowi also talked about climate change issues and unveiled the efforts made by Indonesia in terms of reducing deforestation and forest fires, and strengthening mangrove rehabilitation.

The President is of the view that in terms of climate change, all countries must work together and not blame each other so that all countries will have the capacity to adjust to economic transitions and energy transitions.

President Jokowi also reaffirmed Indonesia’s commitment to addressing climate change issues. He went on to say that the fulfillment of Indonesia’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) is on the right track and at a time when many countries continue to experience severe forest fires, Indonesia’s forest fires have decreased by 82 percent.

“The deforestation is at its lowest rate in the last 20 years and mangrove rehabilitation will cover 600,000 hectares in three years,” the President said.

On that occasion, President Jokowi also talked about health issues, including the world’s plan to draft the Pandemic Treaty. During the discussion, President Jokowi expressed concern about discrimination against several types of vaccines committed by the European Union.

The President also expressed hope that the comprehensive economic partnership agreement between Indonesia and the European Union (IEU-CEPA) would be completed immediately.

“I really hope that we can complete the Indonesia-EU CEPA negotiations. The negotiations have been around for more than five years. With complementary product characteristics, I believe that the CEPA will significantly benefit all of us,” President Jokowi remarked. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/UN) (RI/MUR)