Meeting Australian PM, President Jokowi Discusses Vaccination, Economic Recovery, and Climate

 Indonesian President, Joko Widodo (Jokowi), started his work agenda in Rome, Italy, Saturday (30/10/2021), as part of the G20 Summit, by holding a bilateral meeting with Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison. In the meeting which took place at the Splendide Royal Hotel, the two leaders discussed three main issues, from vaccination to climate change issues. 

“For bilateral relations I am happy to see progress that continues to occur. First, I would like to express my appreciation for Australia's vaccine support for Indonesia, 1.2 million doses of vaccine arrived last week and we welcome the planned arrival of 10.5 million doses of vaccine," said President Jokowi, as quoted from the official website of Indonesian Cabinet Secretariat.

President Joko Widodo held a bilateral meeting with Australian PM, Scott Morrison, Saturday (30/10/2021). (Photo: Cabinet Secretariat/Laily Rachev)

According to the President, currently the COVID-19 condition has greatly improved. The positivity rate in Indonesia has reached below one percent and more than 185 million vaccines have been injected.

"It is no less important that we continue to maintain the health protocols," he added.

The improved trend of COVID-19  handling has opened up space for both countries to start thinking about economic recovery, including opening up the tourism sector. Therefore, President Jokowi proposed the establishment of a vaccinated travel lane (VTL) of Indonesia and Australia and cooperation in mutual recognition of vaccine certificates. 

"I understand that the two foreign ministers have started to communicate the possibility of cooperation. Hopefully the VTL and vaccine certificate recognition can be completed soon. I am sure that this will accelerate the economic recovery, of course safely,” the President explained.

President Jokowi also wants Indonesia and Australia to continue to cooperate in green economy development and energy transition.

According to President Jokowi, the issue of affordable technology and investment plays an important role for the success of economic transformation. 

"Therefore, I welcome the Joint Statement on Cooperation on the Green Economy and Energy Transition. The cooperation contained in this joint statement is in line with the spirit of Indonesia's G20 Presidency in 2022," he said. 

For the duration of the Indonesian Presidency in G20, President Jokowi wants to encourage a number of concrete collaborations in several key sectors, namely digital, energy transition, and financial inclusion. 

In the digital sector, President Jokowi wants to ensure an inclusive digital transition for growth and development. 

In the energy transition sector, the G20 must be able to ensure the availability of low-carbon technologies at affordable prices so that the energy transition can be carried out by all countries. 

While in the financial inclusion sector, the President specifically emphasized the issue of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and women. 

“I hope Australia's strong support for the three proposals from Indonesia. I also hope to be able to personally welcome your excellency next year at our summit in Bali, October 30-31, 2022," he said.

Also present to accompany the President in the bilateral meeting were Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi.