Jokowi Scheduled To Open The 2024 ISF Forum To Discuss Business Breakthroughs Over Climate Change Issues

Illustration. Greenpeace Indonesia's action conveyed a big threat due to climate change in the Monas Jakarta area, November 10, 2021. (ANTARA PHOTO-Sigid Kurniawan)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) is scheduled to open the 2nd Indonesia International Sustainability Forum or ISF 2024 on September 5 in Jakarta.

Deputy for Infrastructure and Transportation Coordination of the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment Rachmat Kaimuddin said this event would bring together world leaders, CEOs, and sustainability experts in encouraging business breakthroughs to address the issue of climate change.

"We are now in seconds of determination, a make-or-break moment, because every small step we take can cause setbacks or progress to overcome the climate crisis," said Rachmat in his statement, Thursday, July 25, quoted by Antara.

Given that most of the global greenhouse gas emissions come from business and industrial activities, he continued, it is necessary to involve private parties who are more active in the sustainability agenda.

Rachmat is of the view that the business world must dare to move, innovate, and lead the process towards a sustainable future.

"The greener and inclusive future is through collaborative efforts that will be presented by ISF 2024," said Rachmat.

Rachmat added that the ISF will also provide the latest information regarding Indonesia's decarbonization process, which is at the heart of Indonesia's climate commitment.

Furthermore, Deputy Chairperson of the Coordinator for Maritime Affairs, Investment and Foreign Affairs of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Shinta Widjaja Kamdani added that the business sector and global business actors have a very important role in promoting sustainable practices and agendas.

"We are faced with an emergency that should be everyone's attention, including the corporate world," said Shinta.

More than that, he continued, adopting sustainability through Environmental Social Governance (ESG) practices and standards offers strong business reasons because companies focused on ESG not only contribute positively to sustainability, but also attract more investment.

In addition, he said, companies focused on ESG can also achieve better long-term financial performance and manage risk more effectively.

"Therefore, now is the time for the business community to adopt sustainability as a core strategy," said Shinta.

ISF 2024 is an official event for the Indonesian government organized by the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Kemenko Marves) and supported by the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin Indonesia).

More than 5,000 people are expected to attend the 2024 ISF forum which will be the largest sustainability issue event in the Asia-Pacific region, after COP29 in the capital Azerbaijan, Baku.

The 2024 ISF Forum is also expected to produce policy recommendations that will be brought to COP29 in November.

Several figures who will be the main speakers in the 2024 ISF include Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Panjaitan, Minister of Industry and Information Technology of the People's Republic of China (RRT) Jin Zuanglong, Minister of Environment of RRT Huang Rungqiu, and Minister of Environment of the Democratic Republic of Congo Eve Bazaiba.

In addition, the Special Envoy for the Secretary-General of the United Nations for Maritime Affairs Peter Thomson and the Director of the Climate Change Division at the United Nations for Environment Program (UNEP) Dechen Tcepan are also scheduled to be speakers.