President Joko Widodo Calls for Equality, Collaboration, and Inclusivity in Global Cooperation

INTI,- President Joko Widodo emphasized the importance of equality, collaboration, and inclusivity in global cooperation during his attendance at the G7 Partner Session held at the Grand Prince Hotel in Hiroshima on Saturday, May 20, 2023. In the session, which addressed various global issues, President Jokowi brought a message from the Global South.

"Working together means equality. Working together means inclusiveness, and we can only work together if we understand each other," President Jokowi stated.

"But the question is, have equality, inclusivity, and understanding become the shared spirit that we develop? We must be brave enough to say honestly that there are many things we need to improve," he added.

Furthermore, the President explained that the pandemic has taught the world the importance of involving more countries in the global supply chain. Therefore, President Jokowi called for an end to monopolistic policies.

"Discriminatory policies towards commodities from developing countries must also be stopped. The right to development of every country must be respected," he asserted.

According to President Jokowi, it is no longer the era where global South countries are merely given space as exporters of raw materials because the world is no longer in the colonial era. "Is it fair for resource-rich countries like Indonesia to be hindered from enjoying the added value of their resources? Hindered from processing their resources domestically?" he questioned.

The President also emphasized that the more than 270 million people of Indonesia, who serve as an anchor for peace, democracy, and the economy in the Southeast Asia and Asia-Pacific regions, must prosper. Therefore, Indonesia is not closing its doors but working hard to enhance cooperation in other forms that are more equitable and yield win-win results for all.

"I hope the G7 countries can become partners in this industrial downstreaming, and it is time to establish a kind of OPEC for other products such as nickel and palm oil," he stated.

In concluding his speech, President Jokowi reiterated his call for collaboration and highlighted the significant role of the G7 in this regard. He emphasized that what the world needs now is not polarization.

"I want to emphasize that what the world needs now is not divisive polarization but rather collaborative unity, and the G7 countries have a major role in creating concrete and equitable collaboration," he concluded.

President Joko Widodo's remarks resonated with the participants, highlighting the importance of equal and inclusive global cooperation. The call to prioritize collaboration and unity over polarization received support from various countries, and discussions continued to explore practical ways to promote equality and inclusivity in global partnerships. The G7 Partner Session provided a platform for meaningful dialogue, paving the way for constructive actions that can address pressing global challenges and foster a more inclusive and prosperous world. ***. Hans