Jokowi presses for progress in IEU-CEPA negotiations to bolster trade

Redaksi    Monday, November 14, 2022    Comment   

Jokowi presses for progress in IEU-CEPA negotiations to bolster trade

Jokowi presses for progress in IEU-CEPA negotiations to bolster trade.

Nusa Dua, Bali - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) called for significant progress in the negotiations of the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU-CEPA) to boost trade between both parties.

"The 12th negotiation (was already held in October) was scheduled at the end of 2022. I hope that the negotiation will result in progress, including on the issues of government procurement of goods, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and export tax," Jokowi remarked during a meeting with the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, here on Monday.

President Jokowi is looking forward to the ASEAN and European Union intensifying cooperation as Indonesia will lead the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2023.

One of the focus areas of Indonesia's chairmanship is to realize cooperation in the Indo-pacific region, according to the head of state.

Furthermore, Jokowi called on the European Commission and the G7 to convey their support and flexibility, so that the G20 Summit can result in a declaration.

"I want the G20 concrete work results, which the world is waiting for, to be realized. Once again, Your Excellency's support will be greatly appreciated," the president affirmed.

Meanwhile, von der Leyen praised Indonesia's leadership in the G20 that strives to formulate joint solutions to the global crisis. Indonesia is viewed as a trusted partner on several strategic issues, including renewable energy and food security.

At the meeting, President Jokowi was accompanied by Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto; Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi; Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan; and Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Arifin Tasrif.

The trade value between Indonesia and the EU recorded an increase in 2021, reaching US$29.03 billion, from US$23.26 billion in 2020. Indonesia's main export commodities to the European Union countries are palm oil, fatty acid, leather footwear, textile, footwear, and natural rubber.

Hence, expediting IEU - CEPA negotiation resolutions is crucial to enhance trade transactions and provide benefits for Indonesia and all EU member states. 

Oleh : Rangga J, Kenzu/Antara

Editor : Yakop

Air Force, BRIN conduct weather modification to support G20 activities

Redaksi    Monday, November 14, 2022    Comment   

Air Force, BRIN conduct weather modification to support G20 activities

Air Force, BRIN conduct weather modification to support G20 activities.

C Lombok, NTB - The Zainuddin Abdul Madjid Air Base in Central Lombok district, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), is carrying out weather modification along with the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) to support the implementation of the G20 Summit.

"This weather modification aims to support the (series of) G20 (activities) in Bali so they can run smoothly," Commander of the air base, Flight Colonel R. Endri Kargono, said while reviewing aircraft as they conducted the weather modification here on Monday.

The G20 Summit will be held in Nusa Dua, Bali, on November 15–16, 2022.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo, as the chairman of the 2022 G20 Presidency, is scheduled to hold a number of outdoor activities with other heads of state/government participating in the summit, such as a visit to the Ngurah Rai Mangrove Forest in Denpasar city.

To support the activities, the air base has dispatched three Cassa planes for cloud seeding, or spreading clouds with salt, over Bali region to prevent rainfall at the locations that will be used during the summit.

"The target of this weather modification is the north (area of Bali) to prevent clouds from entering (Bali), thus it will not rain," the air base commander informed.

The weather modification operation involving 30 personnel is being carried out from November 13 to 16.

"Hopefully, the weather modification attempt will run safely and the G20 will run smoothly and successfully," Kargono stated.

An expert on limnology research at BRIN, Tri Handoko, said that the potential for rain during the ongoing rainy season is quite large, therefore the weather modification operation is necessary.

"We expect this operation to be successful, thus the president and the heads of state can carry out G20 activities safely and comfortably," he added.

The Banyuwangi Air Base has also deployed one aircraft to assist in cloud seeding.

The Indonesian Air Force and BRIN are working with the weather modification technology (TMC) team of the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT) in carrying out the operation.

Each of the modified Cassa aircraft used in the operation can carry up to 800 kilograms of salt. The planes are equipped to spread salt at an altitude of 7 thousand to 10 thousand feet.

Oleh : Akhyar Rosidi, Uyu Liman/Antara

Editor : Yakop

Indonesian G20 Presidency bolsters global collaboration: BRIN

Redaksi    Monday, November 14, 2022    Comment   

Indonesian G20 Presidency bolsters global collaboration: BRIN

Indonesian G20 Presidency bolsters global collaboration: BRIN.

Jakarta - Indonesia, as the G20 president, has a strategic role to continue and bolster the spirit of global collaboration for addressing global challenges, head of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) Laksana Tri Handoko has said.

"Indonesia, as the (holder of the) G20 Presidency, has a strategic role to continue the spirit of global collaboration in addressing global issues," Handoko told ANTARA here on Monday.

He said that Indonesia's leadership of the G20 this year has been essential to rallying global solidarity and cooperation in addressing global crises.

"The post-pandemic G20 momentum this year is appropriate to rally global solidarity and cooperation to face global crises, including the food and energy crises and climate change," the BRIN head added.

The global community faced a completely unique situation during the COVID-19 pandemic as they were urged to unite in facing the pandemic, he said and expressed the hope that the spirit of synergy would be continued in the future.

Earlier, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin had said that the financial losses due to the pandemic had prompted the G20 to shift its focus from economic to healthcare issues.

Indonesia's diplomacy in the G20 has been pivotal to the establishment of the Pandemic Fund, which emulates the International Monetary Fund and World Bank architecture in the healthcare sector to help countries prepare for future pandemics, he added.

"The Pandemic Fund is not as sophisticated as the financial architecture. I have scores of years of experience in the financial sector, and we want the Pandemic Fund to be (as established) as the World Bank with clear mandate and management," Sadikin said during the Joint Finance Health Ministers Meeting (JFHMM) press conference in Bali on Saturday (November 12, 2022).

As of August 24, a total of US$1.4 billion has been pooled from 15 G20 countries and three major philanthropic organizations for the fund, he informed.

Oleh : Martha HS, Nabil Ihsan/Antara

Editor : Yakop

G20 Encouraging Health Architecture Strengthening: Ministry

Redaksi    Monday, November 14, 2022    Comment   

G20 Encouraging Health Architecture Strengthening: Ministry

G20 Encouraging Health Architecture Strengthening: Ministry.

Jakarta - G20 implementation has encouraged the realization of health architecture at the global level, according to the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture.

"Strengthening health architecture at the global level is a very important matter," Deputy for the Coordination of Health Quality Improvement and Population Development at the ministry Agus Suprapto told ANTARA here on Monday.

G20 is a multilateral cooperation group that comprises 19 countries and the European Union (EU). Indonesia, which is holding the presidency of the grouping this year, will host the G20 Summit in Bali on November 15 and 16, 2022.

By strengthening their health architecture, all G20 nations can ensure that their health systems have adequate capacity to deal with crises at the national, regional, and even global levels, he explained.

"With this, every country will be more prepared with adequate health capacity to anticipate the likelihood of another pandemic in the future," he said.

The Indonesian G20 Presidency in 2022 will benefit, directly and indirectly, efforts to build health resiliency in the country, he added.

"For instance, the direct benefit of G20 to Indonesia is the expansion of access to health, technology, science industry, as well as research in the health sector," he highlighted.

Indonesians should be proud because Indonesia’s G20 Presidency has opened a large opportunity for the country, especially in the health sector.

G20 countries' collaboration is expected to become their strength in responding to future global health crises, Suprapto said.

At least 17 heads of state and government will attend the G20 Summit in Bali.

The Indonesian G20 Presidency, which is themed "Recover Together, Recover Stronger,” is focusing on three main agendas: global health architecture, digital transformation, and sustainable energy transition.

Oleh : Wuryanti P, Fadhli Ruhman/Antara

Editor : Yakop

L20: Public-private cooperation crucial for tackling employment issues

Redaksi    Monday, November 14, 2022    Comment   

L20: Public-private cooperation crucial for tackling employment issues

L20: Public-private cooperation crucial for tackling employment issues.

Kuta, Bali - Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto underscored the importance of cooperation between the public and private sectors to address various employment issues.

"Workers and the government are partners for (national) development," he remarked while attending the Labor 20 (L20) Summit here on Monday.

The L20 is an engagement group of the G20 Sherpa Track that discusses various employment aspects involving several labor unions of G20 countries and global union federations.

The L20 Summit was held on November 12-14, 2022, in Bali.

The government is highly aware of the importance of strengthening social protection, improving the skills of the new workforce, as well as increasing the skills of the existing workforce, the coordinating minister remarked.

Hartarto assessed that the skills are necessary for workers to adapt to various changes in the employment sector due to digitalization.

"(Encouraging workers in) gaining new skills is the essence of L20 that emphasizes the importance of (post-pandemic) recovery of workers, so that they become more resilient to challenges," he stated.

At the forum, he said that the Pre-Employment Card Program is one of the Indonesian government's attempts to prepare the workforce to have a set of skills required by the industry.

The program also supports the acceleration of digitization in Indonesia through online learning.

The Pre-Employment Card is also a form of financial inclusion for the community. The government directly transfers cash assistance of the program to the recipients’ bank account or electronic wallet.

"This is a government-to-people program," Hartarto remarked.

He also appealed to all business players to prepare a conducive work environment for all workers, including those with disabilities.

The Indonesian government has necessitated all companies to employ disabled people to constitute at least one percent of the total number of their employees.

"With an inclusive and conducive work environment, high (work) productivity can be achieved," the coordinating minister remarked.

Hence, Hartarto's side will strive to strengthen cooperation between the government and the L20 in dealing with various challenges amid the ongoing pandemic and current global crises.

"We have to work together and be united, so we can recover together (and) recover stronger," he added.

Oleh : Natisha Andarningtyas, Uyu Liman/Antara

Editor : Yakop

G20 Success Collective Responsibility Of Member States: RI President

Redaksi    Monday, November 14, 2022    Comment   

G20 Success Collective Responsibility Of Member States: RI President

G20 Success Collective Responsibility Of Member States: RI President.

Badung, Bali - The success of the G20 Summit is the collective responsibility of G20 member states and the global community has high expectations from the grouping, according to Indonesian President Joko Widodo.

"The success of G20 (Summit) is the collective responsibility of the entire G20 member states," Widodo said during a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Monday ahead of the G20 Summit in Bali.

The President affirmed that the global community has high expectations that the G20 will be a catalyst for global recovery.

He also expressed gratitude for Japan's continued support for Indonesia's G20 Presidency.

Regarding economic cooperation with Japan, the President pushed for the completion of the Indonesia-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (IJEPA).

Widodo also lauded the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the Jakarta MRT expansion project earlier on Monday and the joint feasibility study for the third phase of the Jakarta MRT last October.

"I hope for Your Excellency's support to ensure the MRT project could complete on time," he said.

During their meeting, Widodo and Kishida also discussed regional cooperation, with the Indonesian President highlighting the importance of maintaining regional stability and peace as well as developing regional green industry.

Widodo pointed out that Indonesia's ASEAN chairmanship in 2023 will coincide with the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-Japan relations.

"I encourage the concrete and synergic implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) and the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP). Next year, Indonesia will also encourage the engagement of the Pacific countries with the ASEAN. Indonesia also invites Japan to bolster cooperation with Pacific countries," he said.

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, Transport Minister Budi Karya Sumadi, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Arifin Tasrif, and director general of Asia-Pacific and Africa at the Foreign Ministry, Abdul Kadir Jailani, accompanied President Widodo to the bilateral meeting.

Oleh : Rangga Pandu AJ, Nabil Ihsan/Antara

Editor : Yakop

Indonesia Denounces Lethal Terrorist Attack On Istanbul's Taksim Area

Redaksi    Monday, November 14, 2022    Comment   

Indonesia Denounces Lethal Terrorist Attack On Istanbul's Taksim Area

Indonesia Denounces Lethal Terrorist Attack On Istanbul's Taksim Area.

Jakarta - The Indonesian Government condemned a terrorist attack on Turkey's city of Istanbul's Istiklal Avenue in the Taksim area on Sunday in which six people were killed and 81 suffered injuries.

According to a statement issued by the Indonesian Embassy in Ankara on Monday, none of the Indonesian citizens in Istanbul had fallen victims to the bomb blast.

As of Monday, no reports were received of Indonesians falling victims to the blast, the embassy revealed.

Moreover, the Indonesian Embassy in Ankara and the Indonesian Consulate General in Istanbul continue to coordinate with local authorities and Indonesian community members staying near the Taksim area," the embassy remarked.

The pedestrian street where the bomb explosion occurred is one of the popular destinations for Indonesians and other foreign tourists visiting Istanbul.

According to the Indonesian Consulate General in Istanbul, some 500 Indonesians currently reside in the city. Hence, Indonesians are urged to stay alert and avoid crowded places unless necessary.

The Indonesian Government in Jakarta condemned the attack and expected that those responsible for the deadly blast could immediately be brought to justice.

The Indonesian Government also highly lauded Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for his decision to continue to participate in the G20 Leaders' Summit in Bali Island scheduled to be held on Nov 15-16.

Meanwhile, according to TRTWorld, Istiklal Avenue has been reopened to pedestrian traffic, and local authorities had apprehended the suspect, who left the bomb on the crowded street.

"The order for the deadly terror attack came from Ayn al Arab in northern Syria, where the PKK/PYD has its Syrian headquarters," Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu was quoted as saying on Monday.

"Terror attacks against civilians are direct and indirect consequences of some countries' support for terror groups," Turkey's Communications Director Fahrettin Altun was quoted by TRTWorld as saying.

According to TRTWorld, PYD and YPG are the political and armed wings of the PKK in Syria, while Turkey, the United States, and the European Union recognize PKK as a "terrorist organization."

Pewarta : Rahmad Nasution/Antara

Editor : Yakop

G20: MP Urges Indonesia To Remain Alert To Security Threats

Redaksi    Monday, November 14, 2022    Comment   

G20: MP Urges Indonesia To Remain Alert To Security Threats

G20: MP Urges Indonesia To Remain Alert To Security Threats.

Jakarta - A member of parliament urged the Indonesian government to maintain constant vigil to all forms of security threats despite its all-out efforts to secure and safeguard Bali's two-day G20 Summit that commences on Tuesday.

"I appeal (to the government) to continue intensifying security measures to (prevent) those looking to disrupt the G20 Leaders' Summit from going ahead with their unlawful plans," Christina Aryani stated here, Monday.

Aryani, a member of the House of Representatives' (DPR's) Commission I that oversees security and foreign affairs, said she remains optimistic about Indonesia's readiness for safeguarding and securing the summit.

With the G20 Summit taking place in Nusa Dua, Bali Island, on November 15-16, Indonesia's reputation and credibility are at stake, so any form of security disturbance must be wiped out, she remarked.

"Considering the attention that Mr President, chiefs of the Indonesian Defence Forces and National Police, as well as other state officials have paid to this G20 Summit, we must appreciate the government's hard work," she affirmed.

Meanwhile, several G20 leaders, including US President Joseph R. Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, had arrived in Indonesia's resort island of Bali to attend the summit.

Coordinating Minister for Maritime and Investment Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan confirmed that preparations were 100-percent complete for the summit.

While visiting the Bali Police Command Centre on November 10, the coordinating minister said that security arrangements had been finalized by the military and police, and advanced technologies would be applied to maintain security at the G20 Summit.

"I see that the police and military become the ones to secure the G20 Summit. While bolstering their professionalism, the police have also utilized newer technologies that could be linked with the military," he noted.

At the Command Centre, he assessed that the deployed police and military officers as well as non-uniformed security officers are ready to conduct their duties at their respective posts.

Formed in 1999, the Group of Twenty (G20) currently has 20 members: the United States, Argentina, Brazil, Australia, Canada, Mexico, Turkey, Indonesia, South Korea, Japan, China, Germany, Britain, India, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Italy, France, Russia, and the European Union.

In connection with Biden's participation in the summit, according to a press statement issued recently by the White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, President Biden would be in Bali until Nov 16.

"In Bali, the president will commend President Widodo's leadership of the G20," she noted in her statement on Biden's travel plans to North Africa and Asia that was released by the White House on October 28.

At the G20 Summit, Biden will highlight the US commitment to the premier forum for economic cooperation whose members represent over 80 percent of the world’s gross domestic product (GDP), she remarked.

"He will work with G20 partners to address key challenges, such as climate change, the global impact of Putin's war on Ukraine, including on energy and food security and affordability, and a range of other priorities important to the global economic recovery," she added. (INE)

Pewarta : Rahmad Nasution/Antara

Editor : Yakop

Jokowi praises Japan's support for Indonesia's G20 Presidency

Redaksi    Monday, November 14, 2022    Comment   

Jokowi praises Japan's support for Indonesia's G20 Presidency

Jokowi praises Japan's support for Indonesia's G20 Presidency.

Bali - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) commended Japan's support for Indonesia's G20 Presidency as well as for other concrete projects that have been established.

"Your Excellency, (I am) very happy that we are able to meet again today, and I laud Japan's support for Indonesia's G20 Presidency and for the support of various concrete projects," Jokowi told Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during a bilateral meeting here on Monday.

PM Kishida also praised Jokowi for welcoming him to a side meeting ahead of the implementation of the G20 Summit to be held on November 15-16.

Regarding the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Indonesia in 2023, Kishida believes that the partnership between the two countries will continue to strengthen.

"Next year (2023), Indonesia will become the chairman of ASEAN, and Japan will become the G7 Chairman. Next year also coincides with the historic 50th anniversary of ASEAN and Japan cooperation. I want to continue to work closely with Indonesia in addressing issues in the region and issues globally, including efforts to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific," the prime minister remarked.

PM Kishida and his wife Yuko Kishida arrived in Bali early Monday morning at around 12:30 a.m. local time to attend the G20 Summit.

Based on the Communication and Informatics Ministry's YouTube live stream, Kishida arrived following other G20 leaders that had landed first in Bali, including US President Joe Biden.

Heads of state and delegates and other invited guests will continue to arrive until November 15, the day before the G20 Summit on November 16.

At the I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport after landing from Cambodia on Sunday evening (November 13), President Jokowi stated that the presence of 17 leaders of G20 countries is positive news on account of the fact that the global situation is currently challenging.

Oleh : Rangga J, Kenzu/Antara

Editor : Yakop

Minister Confirms President Putin's Non-attendance at Bali G20 Summit

Redaksi    Thursday, November 10, 2022    Comment   

Minister Confirms President Putin's Non-attendance at Bali G20 Summit

Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Denpasar, Bali - Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not be attending the G20 Summit on November 15-16, 2022, in Nusa Dua, Bali.

"It has been officially informed that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not come. He will be represented by senior officials. President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), as the chairman of G20, had a conversation on the phone with President Putin," Pandjaitan remarked after reviewing the readiness of the Bali Police Command Center for G20 in Bali, Thursday.

Although Pandjaitan did not provide detailed information regarding President Putin's absence at the G20 Summit, he stated that the decision must be respected.

"Maybe President Putin is busy. We have to respect it. President Jokowi wants to accommodate everyone. He talks with all leaders, but maybe, this is the best for us all," he remarked.

The minister noted that until Thursday, 17 heads of state, including President of the United States, Joe Biden, and President of the People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping, had confirmed their attendance at the summit.

Several other heads of state and heads of government that confirmed their attendance at the G20 summit in person in Bali are South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

Despite President Putin's absence, Pandjaitan said that President Jokowi had made the right move as the chairman. President Jokowi had fulfilled his duty of communicating and attempting to make peace.

"I think there will be a bilateral meeting between President Jokowi and President Biden, as well as presidents from other countries arranged by President Jokowi to show more successful leadership in this G20 Presidency," he remarked.

Pandjaitan also noted that Indonesia's preparations for the G20 Summit, in terms of security, infrastructure, and other aspects, had reached 100-percent completion.

"I think what we are doing is one of the best, maybe the best in the history of the G20," he stated.

During the review, Pandjaitan was accompanied by National Police (Polri) Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo; Indonesia Defense Forces (TNI) Commander General Andika Perkasa; Head of the Public Relations Division of the National Police, Inspector General Dedy Prasetyo; and several other high-ranking Polri and TNI officials at the Bali Police Command Center in Denpasar.

Oleh : Rolandus Nampu, Resinta/Antara

Editor : Yakop

State-run food holding ID FOOD Willing To Support G20 to Anticipate The Global Food Crisis

Redaksi    Tuesday, October 25, 2022    Comment   

State-run food holding ID FOOD Willing To Support G20 to Anticipate The Global Food Crisis

Ilustrasi. State-run food holding ID FOOD Willing To Support G20 to Anticipate The Global Food Crisis.

Jakarta - State-run food holding ID FOOD expressed readiness to support the plans of G20 members to establish an integrated and balanced upstream as well as downstream food ecosystem to anticipate the global food crisis.

"ID FOOD is ready to collaborate to support the G20 to improve the food ecosystem," President Director of ID FOOD Frans Marganda Tambunan noted in a statement on Tuesday.

Tambunan remarked that the holding supported Indonesia’s 2022 G20 Presidency to address the food crisis by cooperating with various strategic partners to bolster food processing technology and optimize its representative offices (RO) in G20 members.

The holding had also conducted knowledge transfer between G20 members, conducted research collaboration to develop the upstream and downstream food ecosystem, as well as established bilateral and multilateral cooperation with various G20 members to increase the trade value.

"It is in line with the directive of SOEs (State-owned Enterprises) Minister Erick Thohir (who has urged us) to work together in building Indonesia’s (food) ecosystem with the central government, regional governments, institutions, ministries, private sector, MSMEs (micro, small, and medium enterprises), and farmers," the president director affirmed.

There is vast potential for food actors and the G20 members to collaborate in anticipating the global food crisis, including by developing international market networks and strengthening export opportunities for food products.

Recently, ID FOOD Group had begun exporting big blue octopus (Octopus cyanea Gray) as well as tuna loins to several Asian and American countries in 2022.

"We also manage the Modern Fish Market as a fishery culinary center that can be visited by the G20 delegates to enjoy fresh fish captured by Indonesian fishermen," Tambunan stated.

ID FOOD's integrated food ecosystem attempts to balance the upstream and downstream sector's several food commodities, including rice, corn, sugar, fish, day-old chicks (DOC), cattle, and salt.

In addition to food processing and cold storage, ID FOOD also manages food trade and logistics to maintain food availability to meet the needs of the community.

Oleh : Aji Cakti, Uyu Liman/Antara

Editor : Yakop

Indonesia Uses G20 Platform To Discuss Global Aviation Recovery

Redaksi    Tuesday, October 18, 2022    Comment   

Indonesia Uses G20 Platform To Discuss Global Aviation Recovery

Badung  - Indonesia took advantage of its G20 presidency to discuss global aviation recovery and the financial policies that member countries need to formulate during a dialogue between stakeholders in Nusa Dua, Badung, Bali, on Tuesday.

At a G20 side event entitled “Financial Measures for Aviation Recovery,” Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi said that the G20 countries, together with global organizations in the field of aviation and industry, need to jointly identify the impact of the pandemic and then take global action to accelerate recovery. 

"The financial aspect is crucial in the aviation industry. Therefore, this dialogue provides a record of lessons learned, good experiences in countries to restore the aviation sector. Remember, what we are doing is the G20 program. So, not only for Indonesia, although Indonesia may be a good example after the pandemic, we can recover quickly even though it is not optimal," Sumadi added on the sidelines of the dialogue in Nusa Dua, Bali, on Tuesday.

He said that the G20 dialogue was attended in person by the president of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Salvatore Sciacchitano; officials from the International Air Transport Association (IATA); a number of international leasing companies; Aergo Capital, a major player in the aviation industry whose portfolio includes Boeing and Airbus; as well as transport ministers and senior officials from ASEAN member countries, the European Union, the United States, Italy, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and India.

"I am proud that the president of ICAO is willing to attend. In fact, the topic (dialogue) he gave was how the aviation industry rose."

"It is not easy to attend one event, but at this G20 prestige event, we created a side event that discussed efforts to awaken the aviation world as a whole,” Sumadi added.

Meanwhile, at the event, ICAO president Sciacchitano praised Indonesia's attitude and resolve to continue the G20 commitment to support the recovery of global aviation.

"The reason I am here is because I respect Indonesia's commitment, concern, and role in bringing aviation issues to be one of the concerns during its leadership at the G20," Sciacchitano said.

He informed that currently, aviation has become a sector that has been quite severely affected by the pandemic due to various restrictions on mobility and activities.

Before COVID-19, there were 4.5 billion international passengers traveling by air transport, he noted.

"However, during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, that number fell or minus 60 percent, then minus 40 percent in 2021," Sciacchitano added.

He said that this year, the ICAO observed that the number of passengers began to approach the levels seen in 2019 in several regions, including Europe, North America, and Latin America.

However, the total recovery of the global aviation sector is predicted in 2023, he said.

"Therefore, the aviation sector needs full support from the government, and related to this, the G20 Summit is an important opportunity to reaffirm the commitment of G20 countries in previous years to support the aviation sector, which will encourage economic and social growth,” the ICAO president added.

Pewarta : Azis Kurmala/Antara

Editor : Yakop