TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
G20 presidency: Firm but calm
Due to the tricky nature of the matter, President Jokowi has to make sure that all official statements and information related to the G20 summit from the host should come from a single agency or ministry.
Change Size
Officials inspect the main venue of the Group of 20 finance ministers and central governors meeting during preparations in Jakarta on Feb. 17. (AFP/Mast Irham)
President Joko ”Jokowi” Widodo needs to make more concerted efforts in facing the rising global tension caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has had direct impacts on the success of the Group of 20 summit in Bali on Oct. 30.
One of the most sensitive issues is the demand of the United States and its allies in NATO, the European Union and Australia to exclude Russia from the annual meeting. Indonesia’s position as the host is very clear that it would invite all members to Bali and wants all leaders to come to Bali for the meeting.
Knowing his character and his extra patience and skill for overcoming complicated matters, including by making compromises, we believe President Jokowi will be able to navigate the delicate situation. He has built a good relationship with all G20 leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin.
G20 leaders know that the forum does not have a clear mechanism for expelling or freezing the membership of a country.
Due to the tricky nature of the matter, President Jokowi has to make sure that all official statements and information related to the G20 summit from the host should come from a single agency or a ministry. The government is facing a critical moment that requires unity within its ranks. There are ministers whose comments about Russia's participation and the possibility to raise the issue of the Ukraine crisis during the summit can upset other countries.
The Foreign Ministry has made it clear that “the Ukraine issue cannot be discussed because, of course, this is a global problem that has had a tremendous impact on the global economy”.
The G20 members are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the US and the EU.
With seven months to go, there is still the possibility to reach an amicable solution on Ukraine or major changes that can make the G20 summit more efficient and effective. Indonesia should be able to convince all G20 members to come to Bali.
Until early February this year, President Jokowi was confident that all leaders of the world’s 20 largest economies would personally attend the summit. His optimism was based on the achievement of the government, at least so far, in reining in the COVID-19 pandemic to a manageable level. But the high hope turned sour after Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24 after weeks of speculation.
Indonesia joined other United Nations member states in condemning the invasion of a sovereign nation. For Indonesia, there was no excuse to justify such an act. But unlike some of its ASEAN neighbors, Indonesia refrains from imposing economic sanctions on Russia.
Led by the US, western countries and their allies like Japan and Australia have called for a boycott of Russia from the G20, but other countries such as Indonesia, India and China beg to differ.
The Ukrainian war has certainly divided the G20. The coming seven months will, therefore, test Indonesia’s international leadership and diplomatic aptitude.
Indonesia will prove it deserves the G20 presidency when everyone happily attends the summit.
