People may not easily notice the solar panels installed in a circular pattern at a park within the Parliament Complex in Jakarta, which form the complex’s solar energy power plant.
The new solar power plant, installed at the complex’s Energy Park, is expected to meet up to 25 percent of the parliament building’s power needs and demonstrates the parliament’s commitment to implementing renewable energy and reducing emissions from conventional fossil fuel-based power plants.
The new solar panels also demonstrate the legislature’s keenness to realize sustainable development policies by committing to environmentally friendly energy sources, starting from the parliament complex.
Renewable energy and climate change issues are among some sub-themes of the meeting between leaders of Parliament 20 (P20), organized under Indonesia’s G20 Presidency, at the Parliament Complex in Jakarta from October 5–7, 2022.
The P20 forum has been convened at the Parliament Complex’s Nusantara Building, known for its unique green dome, and there is a historical reason why it has been selected to host the forum.
The parliament building was initiated by Indonesia’s first president, Soekarno, who intended to develop the building as the headquarters of the Conference of the New Emerging Forces (CONEFO) during the height of the Cold War in 1965.
After the international project failed, the building was repurposed as a parliament building during Soeharto’s presidency and inaugurated in 1968.
The selection of the parliament building to host the P20 forum is appropriate as the building symbolizes Indonesia’s everlasting endeavor to play a leading role in the global community, although now, it is making a contribution through the G20 Presidency, which it currently holds.
There are four main issues that will be deliberated during the Parliament 20 forum, namely sustainable development and green economy, inclusive and strong economy to tackle food and energy crises and stagnation, effective parliament and democracy, and gender equality and women’s empowerment.
The four issues are highly relevant for Indonesia and the global community, which is currently facing multifaceted crises amid the Ukraine-Russia war and the post-COVID-19 pandemic recovery.
The Ukraine-Russia war has led to stagnation in economic development and job creation and triggered a food crisis and commodity price increase across the world.
Meanwhile, to demonstrate the commitment to a green economy and promote alternative energy, the Indonesian parliament has readied 55 electric cars for transporting P20 delegates.
Through its actions, the parliament wants to call global attention to environmental issues and push the international community to take prompt measures against climate change.
Climate change and sustainable development issues had been raised by the Indonesian parliament at the 144th International Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly last March. At the meeting, Indonesia had asked countries to initiate concrete actions for realizing a green economy to bolster efforts to achieve the sustainable development goals (SDGs).
The assembly agreed that the climate crisis is an urgent issue because it poses an extensional threat to humankind, and actions must be taken to prevent the worst effect of the climate crisis from becoming a reality.
Moreover, P20 will also raise the issue of the global food crisis, as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has earlier warned that the Ukraine-Russia war has disrupted the shipping of wheat and soybeans, essential food commodities for several countries across the world.
As an agrarian country, Indonesia must be attentive to food issues and take strategic measures to avert a domestic food crisis.
While Indonesia needs to work with other countries to address the food crisis, it must also continue its mission to achieve national food self-sufficiency.
Residents must be educated regarding the diversity of staple foods which they can select daily, and the government must take action to realize food diversification in Indonesia.
Ahead of the P20 forum, the Indonesian parliament has received confirmations of attendance from the delegates of 24 countries, including 29 parliamentary chambers and 2 international organizations.
Up to 347 participants are expected to attend the P20 forum, including 19 parliament speakers, 14 parliament deputy speakers, 30 members of parliament, 3 international organization leaders, and 12 secretaries-general, as well as 14 ambassadors.
The forum started with a discussion involving House of Representatives (DPR RI) Speaker Puan Maharani, DPR RI Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Agency (BKSAP) head Fadli Zon, and Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, on Wednesday.
President Joko Widodo will open the P20 in a ceremony on Thursday, and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will deliver his remarks via video at the forum. Speaker Puan Maharani and IPU president Duarte Pacheco are also expected to speak at the meeting.
Discussions on diverse themes, such as sustainable development and green economy, food and energy resilience, and gender equality and women’s empowerment, will take place at the P20 forum.
A joint statement will also be delivered by Maharani and Pacheco at the conclusion of the forum on Friday (October 7).
The P20 is meant to serve as a major platform for the global community, represented by national parliaments, to unite and agree to a joint commitment to address ongoing issues and crises and ensure a better life for future generations.
The forum is also a momentum for Indonesia to show itself as a great nation, which can play a strategic role in the global community and take the initiative to address and resolve international issues and crises.
Source: Antara News