Meeting With British Foreign Minister Liz Truss, Foreign Minister Retno On Climate Issues: Indonesia Doesn't Want To Be Trapped In Rhetoric

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi. (Source: Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

JAKARTA - Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi received a visit from British Foreign Minister Liz Truss related to the discussion of bilateral cooperation between the two countries, Thursday, November 11.

Prior to meeting with Foreign Minister Retno, Foreign Minister Truss first paid a courtesy call to President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) in the morning, with a focus on discussing the follow-up to the bilateral meeting between President Jokowi and PM Boris Johnson on the sidelines of the recent COP26 Climate Summit in Glasgow. , Scotland.

"The focus of the discussion is on the potential for cooperation related to the carbon market, lithium batteries, vaccines, and biotechnology, with President Jokowi saying that he will send a team to realize the cooperation," Foreign Minister Retno explained in her online press statement Thursday, November 11.

When meeting with Foreign Minister Truss, Foreign Minister Retno again emphasized the climate issue, which she emphasized that Indonesia did not want to be trapped in rhetoric, with President Jokowi's statement being clear.

"I emphasize that Indonesia does not want to be trapped in rhetoric. We prefer to walk in talks. Regarding this, President Widodo's statement at the FoLU meeting was very clear," explained Foreign Minister Retno.

"The President stated, among other things, that Indonesia aims to convert its forest sector and land use into a Clean Carbon Sequester by 2030. This is Indonesia's commitment to be part of the solution," she continued.

Regarding this matter, Foreign Minister Retno explained, there is no doubt about Indonesia's concrete achievements in the forestry sector. In 2020, for example, forest fires are minimized by 82 percent. Meanwhile, in 2019, emissions from forests and land use decreased by 40.9 percent compared to 2015.

She further explained, deforestation also fell to the lowest level in the last 20 years. All of this was achieved as the world lost more than 12 percent of primary forest last year.

"This success was achieved because Indonesia places climate action in the context of sustainable development. Sustainable forest management policies must combine the environment with economic and social considerations," said Foreign Minister Retno.

Regarding the Indonesian Presidency at the G20, Foreign Minister Retno appreciated Britain's support, as well as sharing the priorities of the Indonesian presidency which prioritizes inclusiveness, supports a stronger global health architecture, energy transition, and digital transition will be one of the main priorities of the Indonesian presidency.

On this occasion, Foreign Minister Retno also expressed her gratitude to Foreign Minister Truss, for the assistance of 1 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine from the UK. According to her, the UK and Indonesia share the same view on vaccine equality and non-discrimination.

"In the long term, we are exploring cooperation to build national, regional and global health resilience, among others, strengthening cooperation in the pharmaceutical and drug industry, developing Indonesia as a regional hub for vaccine production and the UK support for a financial mechanism for the pandemic," she explained.

In addition, the meeting of the two foreign ministers also discussed issues of economic cooperation and security between Indonesia and the UK, the Indonesia-UK partnership forum, as well as global and regional ISOs.

"I congratulate the UK as the new ASEAN Dialogue Partner and look forward to working together, among others, in building concrete cooperation to implement the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo Pacific," she said.

"We share the same view on the need for Afghan people to live in a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Afghanistan. Regarding Myanmar, we share the same view on the need to bring back democracy and in ensuring the security and well-being of the Myanmar people. And reiterate the importance of implementing Five Consensus Points and ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid for the people of Myanmar," concluded Foreign Minister Retno.