JOKO WIDODO, President of Indonesia, pointing out that the world community looks towards the General Assembly to provide answers to major global concerns, stressed:  “We must bring hope that we can tackle the COVID-19 pandemic swiftly, fairly, and equally.  We know that no one is safe until everyone is.”  The capacity and pace among countries to tackle COVID-19 differs widely and politicization of the vaccine continues.  These issues must be solved with concrete steps.  In the future, the global health security architecture and the global health security system must  be reorganized. He also called for new mechanisms to mobilize global health resources — financing, vaccines, medicines, medical equipment, as well as health-care workers worldwide — quickly and fairly, as well as establishment of a standardized global health protocol in cross-border activities, such as vaccines criteria, test results and other medical conditions.  “Global economic recovery can only be attained if the pandemic is under control and countries join hands in helping one another,” he said.

Indonesia, along with other developing countries, embraces quality investments, which open up many job opportunities, technology transfer, human resources development, and contribute to sustainability, he said, adding:  “Indonesia’s commitment towards climate resilience, low carbon development and green technology is firm and clear.”  The energy and technology transformation process must facilitate the participation of developing countries in industrial development and technology production.  The COVID-19 pandemic is a reminder of the importance of diversifying production centres around the world.

Furthermore, the international community must be “stern” in fighting intolerance, conflicts, terrorism and war, he said.  Diversity and the protection of women’s and minority rights must be upheld.  Concerns regarding the marginalization of women and violence in Afghanistan, Palestine’s elusive independence, and the political crisis in Myanmar must be on the common agenda.  He added that the leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) met in Jakarta and agreed on the Five Points Consensus; its implementation requires the full commitment of the Myanmar military.

The General Assembly must provide hope for the world’s future, fulfilling the international community’s expectations with concrete steps and tangible results.  In 2022, Indonesia will assume the Group of Twenty (G20) presidency, under the theme of “Recover Together, Recover Stronger”.  Inclusiveness will be the main priority. “This is Indonesia's commitment to show that no one is left behind,” he said.  Green and sustainable economy will also be a priority.  Aware of its strategic place regarding climate change, his country will continue to work hard to fulfil related commitments.  In 2020, Indonesia reduced its forest fires by 82 per cent and deforestation has dropped significantly to its lowest level in 20 years.  “At the global level, Indonesia will put forward burden sharing, not burden shifting,” he said, reiterating support for and hope in multilateralism.  “Let us work together to recover together, recover stronger.”