Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto participated in the third session of the G20 Summit in Brazil on November 19, 2024. The session focused on Sustainable Development and Energy Transition, where Prabowo reiterated Indonesia’s commitment to addressing global poverty, hunger, and climate change, while also promoting green energy initiatives.
Advancing Global Cooperation on Climate Action
During his speech, President Prabowo emphasized the urgency of collective action to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He highlighted Indonesia’s direct experience with climate change, particularly the rising sea levels impacting the coastal areas of North Java. This phenomenon has damaged hundreds of thousands of hectares of productive land, aggravating poverty and food insecurity.
“For Indonesia, there is no alternative. We are fully committed to taking significant steps to reduce climate temperatures, protect the environment, and address these pressing challenges,” President Prabowo stated.
Indonesia’s Green Energy Transition: Ambitious Vision for 2050
Prabowo detailed Indonesia’s ambitious vision for achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, which involves several key initiatives:
- Increasing biodiesel utilization to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
- Converting existing Steam Power Plants (PLTU) to new renewable energy sources.
- Developing more than 75 gigawatts of renewable energy over the next 15 years, with a strong focus on Indonesia’s vast geothermal resources.
“We also have tremendous geothermal resources, and we plan to phase out coal-fired power plants and all fossil-fired power plants in the next 15 years,” President Prabowo explained.
Carbon Credits and Indonesia’s Role in Climate Mitigation
As a steward of one of the world’s largest tropical forests, Indonesia plays a critical role in maintaining global climate balance. President Prabowo reaffirmed the country’s commitment to utilizing its vast carbon storage capacity, offering up to 557 million tons of carbon credits to the international market as part of global climate change mitigation efforts.
Support for Global Health Initiatives
In addition to climate commitments, President Prabowo announced a USD 30 million pledge to support the World Health Organization (WHO) in bridging funding gaps for international health initiatives. This contribution aligns with Indonesia’s broader commitment to supporting global health priorities, as outlined by the United Nations.
Supporting Delegation
President Prabowo was accompanied by key officials, including Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto, Minister of Foreign Affairs Sugiono, Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani, and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya.
This summit underscored Indonesia’s leadership in driving sustainable development and energy transition, while also contributing to global health and climate goals. President Prabowo’s remarks highlighted the crucial role of global collaboration in addressing shared challenges and advancing sustainable futures.
