"We have to recover and rise up stronger; we have to rise faster. These will all be put forward into three issues for our [Urban 20] discussion. And then we face a world that is under tremendous pressure due to the development of our economy,” emphasized the Jakarta Governor, Anies Rasyid Baswedan, during his remarks in the Group of 20 (G20) Summit. He and West Java Governor Mochamad Ridwan Kamil acted as co-chairs in the Summit. In a similar tone as Baswedan, Kamil stated, “Throughout this interregional cooperation, we must have mutual understanding, hold frequent meetings and come up with whatever priorities and agenda to discuss in the future. Good planning can lead to a better future.”

For the first time, Indonesia was the host for the Urban 20 (U20) Summit, held in Jakarta on Aug. 30-31. The meeting was attended by the Indonesian Home Minister; mayors from G20 cities made up of C40 Cities, United Cities and local government members; representatives from the Foreign Ministry of Indonesia; as well as representatives from observer cities.

U20 Summit highlighted the importance of raising awareness of specific challenges faced by local and national government. The meeting also served as a platform for city leaders to voice, collaborate, discuss and concur on crucial environmental, social and economic issues and has resulted in an outcome document, the U20 Communique.

In the U20 Communique, the U20 member cities specifically call for action in the following three main areas: health and housing investment, as a basis for economic and social recovery for all; fostering the transition to sustainable energy, and equal access to sustainable mobility; and providing education and training on the future of employment to gain equitable access to employment opportunities.

The U20 Summit also served as an opportunity for Indonesia to showcase its urban development, and share best practices to address challenges relating to city and urban living, in order to recover together and stronger.

This is the fifth time the U20 Summit was held in the G20 framework. The first ministerial meeting was convened during the Argentinian Presidency in 2018. This year, a series of meetings under the Indonesian G20 Presidency began on Dec. 1, 2001, and will culminate in the Bali Summit, which will be held on Nov. 15-16.

Popular

Tension grows between North Sumatra, Aceh over disputed border

Planned MRT extension to South Tangerang to cost $1.25b

Prabowo skips G7 summit to meet Putin in Russia