Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia at the Opening Ceremony of the Indonesia International Sustainability Forum (IISF), at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC), Jakarta, September 5, 2024

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

Good morning,

May prosperity be upon us all,

Om swastiastu,

Namo buddhaya,

Greetings of Virtue.

Honorable Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation of Malaysia, His Excellency (H.E.) Mr. Dato’ Sri Haji Fadillah;

Honorable Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security of Singapore, H.E. Mr. Teo Chee Hean;

Honorable Minister of Manpower of Singapore, H.E. Mr. Tan See Leng;

Distinguished Ministers of the Indonesia Onward Cabinet;

Distinguished Ambassadors of friendly countries;

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen.

I think I don’t need to reiterate any more how dangerous climate change is, how urgent the energy transition is, and how important sustainability is. All of you present here now must already know much more about those issues. In fact, I need to emphasize that the problem of climate change will never be resolved as long as the world uses only economic approaches, only cares about profits, and tackles the problem in an egocentric way. To solve the problem, the world needs collaborative and humane approaches between developed and developing countries. The world must also take humanity into account so that the process will not sacrifice the interests of the common people.

In fact, green economy is not only about environmental protection, but also about how to create sustainable prosperity for the people. And do not doubt Indonesia’s commitment to achieving net zero emissions and contributing to a greener world.

Indonesia has an abundant green energy potential, reaching more than 3,600 gigawatts. We also have solar power plants, for example the floating solar power plants in the Cirata Reservoir with a capacity of 192 megawatts peak, the largest in Southeast Asia and the third largest in the world. Indonesia also has great potential in carbon absorption. Indonesia’s mangrove forests are the largest in the world, covering 3.3 million hectares, which can absorb carbon 8-12 times better than tropical rainforests. This is what many people don’t know. Indonesia has a green industrial area covering 13 thousand hectares. This is also one of the largest in the world.

However, all of the potential will not have a significant impact on accelerating the handling of the impacts of climate change, as long as developed countries are unwilling to invest, research and technology are not made widely accessible, and funding is not provided in a scheme that supports developing countries. Those three things are important for all of us to take note of. And Indonesia is very open to partnering with anyone to maximize the potential for a greener world, to provide equitable access to green energy, and to encourage inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

I hope this IISF forum can be a venue in which all the participants can exchange knowledge, experiences, and resources which can be turned into shared capital in the collaboration to face existing climate challenges. Because collaboration is not an option, humanity is not an option, but a necessity and an obligation.

And by saying bismillahirrahmanirrahim, I officially declare that the Indonesia International Sustainability Forum (IISF) 2024 is open.

I thank you.

Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

(TM/MMB)