VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Coordinating Economic Affairs Ministry's secretary, Susiwijono, affirmed that the G20 presidency entrusted to Indonesia in 2022 symbolizes acknowledgment of its strategic role in representing Southeast Asia in terms of the global economy and financial architecture.

Through the G20 Presidency, Indonesia is also expected to encourage improvement of the quality of human resources (HR) and the quantity of new workers, particularly in the tourism sector, regional revitalization and promotion of the tourism sector, opportunities for cooperation to achieve SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) targets, as well as exposure to the potential and economy of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

"In total, 437 events to be held comprise 184 meetings and 253 side events. The climax will be the G20 summit on November 15-16, 2022. It is a meeting at the head of state level," Susiwijono noted in an official statement here on Wednesday.

According to the ministry's secretary, global challenges that continue to develop have led to discussions on G20 priorities not only on financial issues but also on non-health issues.

Through the theme "Recover Together, Recover Stronger," Indonesia brings up the three main topics of global health architecture, digital-based economic transformation, and sustainable energy transition in the implementation of its G20 Presidency this year, he stated.

Susiwijono expressed optimism that the discussion of these three issues would strengthen and restructure post-pandemic global health governance and architecture, create economic value through the utilization of digital technology, and reach a global agreement to accelerate the energy transition process.

"The G20 Forum is also expected to bring strategic benefits to Indonesia economically and socio-culturally," Susiwijono remarked.

Hence, he also noted that on March 14, 2022, the United Nations had formed the Global Crisis Response Group (GCRG) to tackle food, energy, and financial issues, wherein these issues are also related to the main agenda of the G20.

The GCRG will facilitate decision-making and global consensus on action steps, or key requests, to avoid, mitigate, and respond to the impacts of food, energy, and financial crises; promote action steps through public and private advocacy; and encourage the participation of critical states and actors as well as boost public discussion.

The GCRG comprises six heads of state from Senegal, Denmark, Germany, Barbados, Bangladesh, and Indonesia that had been appointed as GCRG Champions. Meanwhile, the Secretary General of the United Nations and the President of Senegal, who is also the Chair of the African Union, will be the Co-Chair of the GCRG. (Antaranews)