Sustainable Development is Key to Post-Pandemic Economic Recovery: Chief Economic Minister
Photo: PR of Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs
Indonesia is committed to supporting the Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto has said.
During the meeting to be held in Glasgow, the United Kingdom on 1-12 November this year, Indonesia, the Minister said, will serve as co-chair alongside the United Kingdom.
“The Indonesian Government once again asserts its commitment to support the success of the upcoming COP26 Conference. Measures to preserve the environment in sustainable development must remain the focus amid the period of economic recovery after COVID-19 pandemic,” Airlangga said during the meeting with President-Designate of the United Kingdom for COP26 Alok Sharma, Tuesday (01/06).
During the meeting that was also attended by Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Indonesia and East Timor Owen Jenkins and Ambassador of COP26 for Asia Pacific and South Asia Ken O’Flaherty, a number of matters regarding COP26 Forest, Agriculture, and Commodity Trade (FACT), including Indonesia’s preparation, readiness, and participation in the upcoming COP26 Conference were discussed.
COP26 will be focused on the acceleration of coal phase-out, deforestation reduction, acceleration of the shift to electric vehicles, and boost of investment in renewable energy.
The meeting will also be held to finalize Paris Rulebook (detailed regulations for Paris Agreement implementation) and speed up actions to overcome climate crises through collaborations among governments, businesses, and civil society.
Airlangga also said that to reduce the impacts of climate change, the Indonesian Government has adopted several policies, including Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) through which the Indonesian Government is committed to decreasing greenhouse gas emissions by 29 percent without terms (with own measures) and by 41 percent with terms (with adequate international support) by 2030.
The Indonesian Government, he added, has also strengthened Indonesia Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) certificate and implemented several sustainability practices, including Timber Legality Assurance System (SVLK) and Sustainable Natural Rubber Platform (SNARPI).
Airlangga also expressed appreciation for the cooperation between Indonesia and the United Kingdom on Strengthening Palm Oil Sustainability in Indonesia (SPOSI) program aimed at increasing and developing sustainable palm oil production.
He added that the measure is realized by reinforcing the capacity of small entrepreneurs and improving the acceptance of Indonesian palm oil products in the international market.
For the record, on 15 April this year, COP26 FACT Dialogue Ministerial Roundtable was held and led by Lord Zac Goldsmith (British co-chair).
During the meeting, Indonesia and the United Kingdom pushed for the finalization of Joint Statement on the Principles for Collaboration that consists of high-level cooperation and collaboration principles, as well as commitment to cooperate in developing a roadmap of collective actions on forest protection, trade promotion, and development.
The actions are to be carried out through four working group (WG) themes, including WG Trade and Markets Development, WG Smallholder Support, WG Traceability and Transparency, and WG Research, Innovation, and Technology.
As of now, twenty-one countries have endorsed the Joint Statement draft, namely Belgium, Brazil, Colombia, Denmark, France, Gabon, Ghana, Japan, South Korea, Liberia, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Paraguay, Peru, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Uruguay. (PR of Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs/UN) (DH/EP)
The official website of Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs can be accessed through this link.
