G20, Trust in Indonesia
The President explained that every country was facing difficulties. Global economic growth had slowed while inflation was on the rise, and several developed countries were facing a food crisis.
President Joko Widodo in his office at the Bogor Presidential Palace, Bogor City, West Java, on Thursday (11/3/2022).
Held at a time when the world has been shaken by various crises and conflicts, the 2022 Group of 20 Indonesian presidency is a reflection of the world’s trust in Indonesia’s leadership.
BOGOR, KOMPAS – Amid increasing rivalries among countries and the complexity of negotiations as a result of these rivalries, many countries still put their hope in Indonesia. In a special interview at Bogor Palace on Thursday (11/3/2022), President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said that many heads of state and government leaders had contacted him.
“Those that never called before call now. We can feel the impact of the world’s current condition,” said the President.
The President explained that every country was facing difficulties. Global economic growth had slowed while inflation was on the rise, and several developed countries were facing a food crisis. “We understand that many heads of state are dizzy, every country is dizzy,” said the President. “It is very dizzying,” the President repeated, conveying the seriousness of the challenges the world is currently facing.
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Yet amid this difficult situation, G20 members are still willing to meet and hold discussions. With the G20 Summit in Denpasar, Bali, just two weeks away, to be held on 15-16 November, the President said hundreds of meeting agendas had been carried out and none had been canceled. Although there were differences in attitudes, triggered by, among other issues, geopolitical rivalries, not a single agreement was called off. “We should be grateful, the meetings at the ministerial level continue, nothing has been canceled, especially when it is difficult to discuss [these matters] again,” said the President.
A video show featuring President Joko Widodo's statement regarding Indonesia's policy on women's empowerment was shown at the Opening of the G20 Ministerial Conference on Women's Empowerment (MCWE), on Wednesday (24/8/2022) in Nusa Dua, Bali.
Stakeholders, according to the President, continued to strive to produce concrete results. “I truly appreciate the attendance of leaders at the summit, which will be held under very difficult circumstances like today, with the substance from various meetings at the ministerial level to be brought to the leaders’ forum. In difficult conditions like today, we show that we are able to produce concrete results for the world, even though it is not easy,” said the President.
In his explanation, the President said that the success of the G20 must be understood in the context of a world overcome by difficulties. The President did not deny that rivalries between several countries had impacted these efforts. Even the President could not ignore the tension of the forum.
The G20 Summit is highly anticipated, not only by member countries but also by other countries so that they can provide concrete solutions too.
“It is fine for it to be a little rowdy, in fact, it would be good for starting discussions. The important thing is that everyone can express their views and that no one is silenced. Indonesia is providing a platform to find solutions together. Most importantly, in my opinion, we have a common denominator: the world has problems and we want to find solutions together as it is our responsibility. The G20 Summit is highly anticipated, not only by member countries but also by other countries so that they can provide concrete solutions too,” said the President.
According to the President, Indonesia will continue to try and bring parties to sit together to discuss existing problems and how to reach a consensus. This is an opportunity for Indonesia to showcase its leadership at the global level amid these difficult circumstances.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The confirmation of the attendance of 16 heads of state and one regional organization, the President said, reflects the world’s trust in Indonesia. “Once again, this fosters optimism, despite being in a difficult situation where a war is still ongoing. Old disputes have not been resolved while new ones emerge – it is these conditions that bring about uncertainty. However, amid such circumstances, we, Indonesia, have become a bridge. Thank God, President Biden, President Xi and several other heads of state and government have confirmed their attendance,” the President said, adding that he would also contact Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The second matter concerns the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which he said he would proceed with.
The day before, President Jokowi had contacted Russian President Vladimir Putin. “I discussed two matters with him yesterday; first, to confirm his attendance at the G20 Summit. He said he would like to attend but cannot make a decision at this time. The second matter concerns the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which he said he would proceed with. I think this is very good news and I already conveyed it to [United Nations] Secretary-General Antonio Guterres,” said the President.
Indonesia’s leadership
Partners’ trust in Indonesia, the President continued, also reflected Indonesia’s current stance in international relations. “We are at the pinnacle of global leadership. Indonesia has been given a heavy mandate and is able to carry it out. This is what helps build trust. Moreover, this trust will trigger a domino effect, namely in global trust, where social investment for the future will make it easier for Indonesia to build cooperation for both B to B [business to business] and G to G [government to government]. That is because they trust us,” said the President.
The G20, the President reiterated, was not a political forum. The G20 was a forum for financial, economic and development cooperation. Through the forum, the President said, Indonesia wanted to invite all parties to simmer down the rivalries. “There may be competition, that is natural, but we cannot allow it to lead to open conflict. And regarding war – wars need to end. The G20 Summit is a forum for world leaders to meet, hold dialogues and discuss the challenges and problems of the world today, to find solutions to overcome the economic crisis, the energy crisis, the financial crisis and the cost-of-living crisis. I hope that the attendance of world leaders in Bali will produce solutions that are good for the world, the region, Indonesia and humanity,” said the President.
IMF President Director Kristalina Georgieva
Supported by relatively good economic conditions – considering current crises and declining global growth – Indonesia, according to the President, remains optimistic. Quoting the statement made by International Monetary Fund (IMF) president director Kristalina Georgieva, the President added, Indonesia was a ray of light in the gloom of the global economy.
Canada
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed his attendance at the G20 Summit after attending the ASEAN summit in Cambodia. Trudeau’s attendance was announced on the Canadian Prime Minister’s official website. After attending the G20 Summit, Trudeau will also attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Thailand. “Canada wants to demonstrate its commitment to peace, freedom and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. Thus, it is important for PM Trudeau to attend the ASEAN summit as well as the G20 summit,” read a statement on the website. (JOS/DNE)
(This article was translated by Kesya Adhalia).
