President Jokowi: Indonesia Wants G20 to Set Example in Handling Climate Change

President Joko Widodo during a session of the G20 Summit in Rome, Italy, on Sunday (31/10). (Photo: Bureau of Press, Media, and Information Affairs of Presidential Secretariat/Laily Rachev)

Dealing with climate change and environment can be done by cooperation in concrete actions, not by blaming each other. The statement was made by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo when delivering his remarks at Session II of the G20 Summit on the topic of climate change, energy, and environment in La Nuvola, Rome, Italy, on Sunday (31/10).

“Indonesia wants the G20 to set an example, Indonesia wants the G20 to lead the world in cooperation on handling climate change and managing the environment in a sustainable manner by performing concrete actions,” President Jokowi said.

Furthermore, the President said that the G20 should act as a catalyst for green recovery and ensure that no party will be left behind.

“Climate change handling should be within a framework of sustainable development,” he said.

Moreover, the President said that climate change handling should move forward together with other global challenges handling, such as poverty eradication and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“I understand that as one of the owners of the largest tropical forests in the world, Indonesia has a strategic position in handling the climate change. We use the strategic position to contribute. Deforestation in Indonesia can be suppressed to the lowest point in the last 20 years. Indonesia has rehabilitated 3 million hectares of critical land during the period of 2010-2019,” President Jokowi said.

During the session, the President stated that Indonesia has targeted “Net Sink Carbon” for lands and forests by 2030 and “Net Zero” by 2060 or even faster. Net Zero Area is already initiated, including the development of Green Industrial Park in North Kalimantan covering 13,200-hectare area that uses new and renewable energy and produces green products.

“Good management of carbon pricing at the global level should be implemented immediately in accordance with Paris Agreement and provide incentives for the participation of private sector considering the capability and condition of each country. Currently, Indonesia is at the last stage of finishing regulation on carbon pricing to fulfil the commitment of NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions) target,” President Jokowi said.

During the United Nations General Assembly not long ago, in his remarks the President reminded the importance of empowerment of developing countries to undergo energy transition and to encourage technology innovation in order to develop a sustainable world economy.

“I confine my attention to technologies offered by the G20 countries for developing countries concerning energy transition,” President Jokowi said.

He also expressed hope that later when Indonesia’s G20 Presidency takes places, a platform can be offered through global partnership and international funding for energy transition.

“We need to ensure that transition to new and renewable energy is carried out in line with the principle of energy security, accessibility, and affordability,” President Jokowi said.

On the event, President Jokowi was accompanied by Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan and Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi. (Bureau of Press, Media, and Information Affairs of Presidential Secretariat/UN) (AW/MMB)