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G20 leaders, please don’t come to Bali just to quarrel
If the leaders, or some of them, are not willing or unable to work together to address the world’s economic and security conundrum, at least they can lower their ego so as not to worsen the suffering of many people across the globe.
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Hindu religious leaders participate in a mass prayer event on Oct. 26, wishing for the success of the Group of 20 Summit slated for Nov. 15-16, in Nusa Dua, Bali. At least 1,200 Hindu religious leaders from across Bali as well as Buddhist, Christian, Confucian and Muslim leaders participate in the prayers, which were also followed by around 150,000 people. (Antara/Fikri Yusup)
In the next eight days, leaders of the world’s 20 largest economies, the Group of 20, will meet on the resort island of Bali for a two-day annual summit, which is described by Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi as one of, “if not the most difficult” G20 meetings. Indonesian people, and global citizens, hope the leaders refrain from using the precious moments during the summit simply as opportunities to criticize and attack one another.
The world is now on the brink of economic, military and security disasters and World War III is on our doorsteps. Look at the tension in the Taiwan Strait, the Korean Peninsula and the real danger of the demolition of Ukraine. Inflation is soaring and a shortage of gas is haunting many countries as winter nears, and starvation has happened in many parts of the world.
Bali provides a favorable atmosphere to discuss, among others, a graceful exit to the Ukraine war, the simmering tension on the Taiwan Strait and the Korean Peninsula crisis. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and United States President Joe Biden stand a good chance to discuss the worrying developments in the East Asian region.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Biden hopefully will meet to reduce tension between the two big powers. But there are also possibilities one or several leaders will walk out from the conference as a result of offending remarks from other leaders. It will be challenging for host Indonesia to keep everybody cool.
Biden has assured his attendance in Bali. But it is not impossible that he will not attend the whole sessions due to family matters. His first granddaughter Naomi Biden, 28, from his son Hunter Biden, will hold her wedding party with her fiancé Peter Neal, 25, on the iconic South Lawn of the White House on Nov. 19.
The results of the Nov. 8 mid-term election may also affect Biden’s mood, especially if the predictions that the Republicans will win the majority in the Senate come true. It will come as no surprise if Biden leaves Bali for Washington earlier than scheduled, although Indonesia hopes the US president will follow all the G20 agenda for the good of the world.
If the leaders, or some of them, are not willing or unable to work together to address the world’s economic and security conundrum, at least they can lower their ego so as not to worsen the suffering of many people across the globe.
