President Jokowi Proposes Three Steps to Prevent Lost Decade for Development

President Jokowi (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo Friday (06/24) at the High-level Dialogue on Global Development from the Merdeka Palace proposed three measures to prevent a lost decade for development.

According to the President, the world is now facing formidable challenges in food security, energy security, and financial stability.

Global economic growth this year has also dropped by 1 percent to 2.6 percent with the achievement of the SDGs being significantly delayed, he said.

“First, it is synergy to overcome emerging challenges. As President of the G20 and part of the Global Crisis Response Group, Indonesia will continue to contribute to addressing the issues of food and energy security and financial stability. I noted many other initiatives from various parties. These existing initiatives must synergize and strengthen each other, take into account the voices of developing countries, and prioritize dialogue,” the President said.

President Jokowi also called on countries to strengthen global SDG partnerships with a focus on development funding, while underlining that the SDGs funding gap which increased from US$2.5 trillion per year before the pandemic to US$4.2 trillion per year after the pandemic must be closed immediately.

The Head of State also pointed out that innovative funding must be promoted and the role of the private sector must be strengthened.

BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) countries must serve as a catalyst for strengthening investment in developing countries, he added.

“Similar efforts are also being made by the G20 Indonesia Presidency. We encourage investment that creates added value for developing countries. I also hope that the Global Development Initiative (GDI) can be a catalyst for achieving the SDGs. I encourage the synchronization of GDI with the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific where the element of achieving the SDGs is one of the spirits and priorities of cooperation,” the President stated.

President Jokowi also called for the strengthening of new sources of growth. According to him, BRICS cooperation with partner countries must support inclusive digital transformation and development of green industries and infrastructure, as well as strengthen access of developing countries to global supply chains.

“As a closing note, I am inviting all of us to work together. Recover together, recover stronger,” he said.

For the record, China President Xi Jinping hosted the High-level Dialogue on Global Development in Beijing on June 24, 2022. The dialogue was held in a virtual format under the theme of “Foster a Global Development Partnership for the New Era to Jointly Implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”.

The dialogue was attended by BRICS leaders and relevant developing country leaders. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/UN) (FI/EP)