Meeting With President Joe Biden, President Jokowi Discusses The Importance Of Green Economy Development To The G20 Presidency

President Joko Widodo meets President Joe Biden. (Source: Antara/Laily Rachev/Press Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo held a bilateral meeting with United States President Joe Biden, on the sidelines of the Climate Change Summit or COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland, Monday.

In a meeting at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC), Glasgow, Scotland, on Monday, November 1, 2021. President Jokowi appreciated the cooperation carried out during the pandemic.

To President Biden, President Jokowi appreciated the cooperation in the health sector during the pandemic with the United States, where Washington sent the COVID-19 vaccine through a dose-sharing scheme, ventilators, therapeutic drugs, and other medical devices, citing the presidential.go website. en Tuesday November 2nd.

President Jokowi said Indonesia was interested in becoming part of the global supply chain in the health sector, through the development of the Indonesian health industry.

In addition, President Jokowi also conveyed the importance of strengthening economic cooperation between the two countries, especially the development of a green economy. According to the President, Indonesia can become a reliable partner for economic cooperation.

Another issue discussed at the meeting of the leaders of the two countries was climate change. President Jokowi stressed that Indonesia is committed to reducing carbon emissions, showing good results in significantly reducing deforestation rates and forest fires, which are at their lowest point in 20 years.

"I will restore mangrove forests up to 600 thousand hectares in the next 3 years. This will be the largest mangrove forest conservation in the world," he explained.

Meanwhile, in the energy sector, President Jokowi said that Indonesia had launched a transformation towards new and renewable energy, accelerating an economy based on green technology.

To that end, the President invited Uncle Sam's country to invest in new and renewable energy, including the development of an electric car and lithium battery ecosystem.

"I expect US support through investments that accelerate the energy transition, especially low-carbon technology," said President Jokowi.

Related to the Indonesian Presidency in the Group of 20 or G20 countries that was just received from Italy. President Jokowi appreciates the support of the United States.

As is known, the Indonesian Presidency will take the theme 'Recover Together, Recover Stronger'. Inclusivity will be key to Indonesia's presidency next year.

A number of things are ready to be pushed by Indonesia during the G20 Presidency, starting from ensuring an inclusive digital transition for growth and development, encouraging investment and transfer of affordable low-carbon technology, as well as inclusive finance, especially for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), women. and vulnerable groups.

"We must make the G20 relevant not only for its members, but also for the world, especially developing countries," said President Jokowi.

To note, in the one-hour meeting, the two leaders also discussed various international issues, including democracy, to the conflict in Myanmar and conditions in Afghanistan.