Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) officially opened the Indonesia International Sustainability Forum (ISF) 2024 in Jakarta on Thursday, September 5. The forum, themed "Towards Sustainable and Inclusive Growth," aims to facilitate discussions on global solutions and best practices to combat climate change.  

In his opening remarks, Jokowi expressed Indonesia’s openness to collaborate with any partner to maximize the potential for a greener world. He stressed the need for equitable access to green energy and the promotion of inclusive and sustainable economic growth.  

“Indonesia is very open to partnering with anyone to maximize potential for a greener world,” he said. 

Jokowi also addressed the lack of significant contributions from Western nations in accelerating climate action. He highlighted Indonesia's vast natural resources, including 3.3 million hectares of mangrove forests, the largest in the world, which can absorb 8-12 times more carbon than tropical rainforests. He also mentioned Indonesia’s 13,000-hectare green industrial zone.  

However, he cautioned that these resources alone would not be enough to make a substantial impact unless developed countries take bold steps, invest, share technology, and provide financial support that eases the burden on developing nations. 

“I emphasize that the issue of climate change will never be resolved as long as the world uses an economic approach,” Jokowi said. 

Jokowi urged global leaders to move beyond profit-driven approaches to climate action, advocating for a collaborative effort between developed and developing nations. He underscored Indonesia's commitment to achieving net zero emissions and contributing to a greener world through projects like the 192 MW floating solar power plant in Cirata, West Java, the largest in Southeast Asia and the third-largest globally. Jokowi reaffirmed Indonesia’s readiness to partner with any entity willing to advance green energy and foster inclusive, environmentally-friendly economic growth. 

The forum, attended by over 8,000 participants, focused on five key pillars: green economy, energy transition, biodiversity and nature conservation, sustainable living, and blue economy. 

Prominent speakers at ISF 2024 included Coordinating Minister for Maritime and Investment Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Singapore's Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean, Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof, China’s Minister of Industry and Information Technology Jin Zuanglong, and Congo’s Minister of Environment Eve Bazaiba. Other notable attendees were the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean Peter Thomson, France’s Special Adviser for Climate Action Kevin Magron, Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Arsjad Rasjid, CEO of Bezos Earth Fund Andrew Steers, and Vice President of The Rockefeller Foundation Deepali Khanna. 

Original article here

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