Megawati Invites Al Gore To Discuss With BRIN Regarding Climate Change

Fifth President Megawati Soekarnoputri together with former Vice President of the United States Al Gore (middle) and Speaker of the House of Representatives Puan Maharani/ANTARA/Monang Sinaga)

JAKARTA - The Fifth President of the Republic of Indonesia Megawati Soekarnoputri invited former US Vice President Al Gore to discuss with the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) regarding climate change

This was conveyed by Megawati to former United States Vice President Al Gore on the sidelines of the World Leaders Summit on Children's Rights at the Vatican, Rome, Italy, Monday, February 3.

As reported by ANTARA, Megawati initially discussed a major fire that had just taken place in Los Angeles

"You can tell how the fire incident in Los Angeles happened," Megawati asked the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize recipient for her efforts to obtain and disseminate information about the climate challenges.

Al Gore also explained about the unfavorable weather, including the long-standing rain that did not fall in the Southern California region.

According to him, fires are a very big and terrible problem, as a result of drought and there are problems in water systems for fire fighting, so the fires and impacts are very widespread.

Al-Gore also appreciated Megawati's speech at the meeting, especially regarding climate change as a global issue, especially in saving children.

The two also discussed the release of the United States from the Paris Agreement which regulates climate and is related to Indonesia's future attitude.

"I immediately said, I know President Megawati, that's not going to happen," said Al Gore about the possibility of Indonesia considering leaving the agreement.

To note, this legally binding international agreement on climate change was adopted by 196 parties at COP21 in Paris on December 12, 2015, and took effect on November 4, 2016.

Indonesia as one of the parties who signed the Paris Agreement has ratified in national law through Law Number 16 of 2016.

Therefore, Megawati invited AI Gore to come to Jakarta to discuss climate change.

"I currently serve as Chairman of the Steering Committee of the National Research and Innovation Agency. I invite you to attend and have a dialogue with us in Jakarta," said Megawati.

Al Gore also said he was looking forward to this moment.

After the conversation and returned to the meeting room, Puan asked Al Gore for time to take a selfie. Megawati smiled at the moment.