Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia on Leaders Summit on Climate, Thursday, 22 April 2021 from Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java Province

Thank you, Your Excellency President Biden for organizing this Summit.

The impacts of climate change are very real before us. COVID-19 and the global recession have further complicated these challenges. For that, I would like to address three issues.

First, Indonesia is very serious in controlling climate change and inviting the world to take concrete actions, to lead by example. As the largest archipelagic country and owner of tropical forests, tackling climate change is Indonesia’s national interest. Through several policies, empowerment, and law enforcement, Indonesia’s current deforestation rate has fallen to the lowest in twenty years. The halt in the conversion of natural forests and peatlands has reached 66 million hectares, or more than the area of England and Norway combined. The reduction in forest fires was up to 82 percent while several regions in America, Australia and Europe saw the widest increase.

Second, we must promote green development for a better world. Indonesia has updated its nationally determined contribution (NDC) to increase adaptation capacity and climate resilience. Indonesia welcomes the 26th Framework Convention on Climate Change held in the United Kingdom for an implemented and balanced outcome. Indonesia also welcomes the target of a number of countries towards net-zero emission by 2050. However, to be credible, this commitment must be carried out based on the fulfillment of the 2030 NDC commitment. Developing countries will carry out the same ambition if the commitment of developed countries is credible with real support. Support and fulfillment of the commitments of developed countries are needed.

Third, to achieve the target of the Paris Agreement and the next shared agenda, the global partnership must be strengthened. World countries need to build an understanding and strategies to achieve net-zero emissions and towards the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Climate Change Framework Convention (UNFCCC COP 26) in Glasgow. Indonesia is currently accelerating net-zero emission pilot project, among others, by building the Indonesia Green Industrial Park covering an area of 12,500 hectares in North Kalimantan province, which will become the largest in the world. We are currently rehabilitating 620 thousand hectares of mangrove forests until 2024, the largest in the world with carbon absorption reaching fourfold higher than that of tropical forests.

Indonesia is open to investment and technology transfer, including investment for energy transition. Furthermore, Indonesia also opens great opportunities for the developments of biofuels, the lithium battery industry and electric vehicles (EV). Indonesia’s presidency for the G20 in 2022 will prioritize strengthened cooperation on climate change and sustainable development. Indonesia also continues to support the efforts of our friends in the Pacific. We must continue to take collective actions, a real global partnership, and not blame each other, let alone apply trade barriers under the pretext of environmental issues.

I thank you. (EST/MUR)