JAKARTA (VOA) —
Deputy for Infrastructure Coordination and Transportation of the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment Rachmat Kaimuddin said the ISF event was held as a form of commitment from the government and the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) in achieving a sustainable and inclusive economy.
He explained that hundreds of policy makers, experts, investors and world leaders will attend the forum to discuss sustainability which has become a global issue.
“There are lots of topics about sustainability. For example about net zero. From our experience in the government, as well as in the business world, this issue is not a very simple one to talk about and act on right away. So there is a need for continuity of discussion and collaboration. For example, if you want net zero emissions, change everything to renewable energy, which is not as easy as turning your palm,” Rachmat said at a press conference, in Jakarta, Tuesday (22/8).
Rachmat hopes that the ISF event can become a forum for collaboration and communication so that one can exchange ideas so as to create a solution and cooperation on this quite complex issue.
“So, how can Indonesia, as a developing country, have the resources that are needed by the world. It could be an example, it could be a place for discussion, because Indonesia’s problems are also quite complex,” he said.
“So if, for example, we can make Indonesia a laboratory forum for discussion, maybe we can share the solutions we can find in Indonesia with the whole world. We hope that we can continue this Indonesia Sustainability Forum next year, and of course it will become a sustainable international event,” Rachmat added.
On the same occasion, KADIN Deputy Chairperson for Coordinating Maritime, Investment and Foreign Affairs Shinta Kamdani said that the private sector or business actors also have a high commitment to realizing a sustainable or green economy.
So far, he said, his party has made various efforts to create a more environmentally friendly economy.
“If we talk about sustainability, we can’t just talk about it on paper. We have to start prioritizing how business actors can also invest to enter the realm of the green economy. That basically companies have also started SDGs (sustainable development goals) not only as part of social responsibility but SDGs have been integrated into many company business models, including reporting carried out through ESG (environmental, social and corporate governance) and sustainability report which is currently being put forward by many business actors,” said Shinta.
Furthermore, he said KADIN is also actively involved in encouraging efforts to accelerate the green economy transition by forming Kadin Net ZERO Hub and Carbon Center of Excellence. More than that, he said, there have been many business actors who have always kept abreast of world developments that move very dynamically and quickly through products that are produced in accordance with market desires and of course are sustainable products.
“We see that currently the demand and buyers of many Indonesian exports have put forward the issue of sustainability. And this is where we also have to be careful that our company has to prepare products that can also promote sustainability. So, this is where KADIN has a role and of course we are partners with many parties both inside and outside the country,” he said.
Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan. (IG/luhut.pandjaitan)
Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan is scheduled to open ISF 2023 by delivering a speech with the theme of growth and sustainability which will pave the way for Indonesia to achieve the vision of Indonesia Gold in 2045.
Judging from the indonesiasuistainibilityforum.co.id website, on the first day, President Joko Widodo is also scheduled to attend with other state leaders such as Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr, and Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape.
In addition, the United States special envoy for climate affairs, John Kerry and Tesla founder and CEO Elon Musk were two of the speakers at the event. It is not yet clear whether Elon will definitely attend or not.
ISF 2023 also invited several global institutions as knowledge partners, including the Boston Consulting Group, Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, Mckinsey & Company, AstraZeneca and Sinar Mas. (gi/ab)
