TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo or Jokowi called for the end of the war and asked the Group of 20 or G20 leaders to unite to overcome the global crisis as he opened the G20 Summit in Bali today, November 15, 2022.

“We have no other option. The paradigm of collaboration is badly needed to save the world. We all have the responsibility, not only for our people but also for the people of the world,” he remarked.

“Being responsible here also means that we must end the war. If the war does not end, it will be difficult for the world to move forward. If the war does not end, it will be difficult for us to take responsibility for the future of current generation dan future generations,” he told leaders.

The world, Jokowi emphasized, should not be divided into parts. “We must not allow the world to fall into another cold war.”

Leaders attending the summit include United States Joe Biden and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on behalf of President Vladimir Putin.

Indonesia's focus as the G20 Presidency is post-pandemic global economic recovery, with priorities in the health sector, digital transformation, and energy transition. This week’s summit, however, is overshadowed by the global crisis in the food and energy sector triggered by the war between Russia and Ukraine since February 2022.

The Indonesian leader also said in his opening remarks that as the G20 Presidency, Indonesia has been taking tremendous efforts to bridge the deep and wide gap. But it will only be successful if all parties can set aside differences.

Due to differences of opinion regarding Ukraine, the G20 Summit was expected to find it difficult to reach a mutual agreement. Nevertheless, President Jokowi stressed that Indonesia as the G20 Presidency would continue to maintain peace.

DANIEL AHMAD

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