Need for collective action to solve global environmental problems: minister

Badung, Bali (ANTARA) – All countries – developing and developed alike – must contribute to efforts to solve global environmental problems through collective action with the help of the G20 forum, the Minister of Environment and Human Resources has said. Forests, Siti Nurbaya Bakar.

“Collective action and global partnerships are essential if we are to tackle global environmental challenges and lead the world to a sustainable recovery,” she told the G20 joint ministerial meeting on environment and climate. (JECMM) in Nusa Dua, Badung district, Bali province, on Wednesday.

The world is currently facing various environmental issues, such as population growth, water crisis, resource scarcity and energy security issues, as well as environmental degradation, the minister noted.

Not only that, but the world is also facing climate change, which could exacerbate these crises, she said. The phenomenon can have an impact on the progress and development that has been achieved over the decades, especially in developing countries.

The Minister said that no country can be immune to the impact of environmental problems or manage them alone.

For this reason, it is necessary to pursue environmental multilateralism to ensure that countries of varying sizes and wealth are on an equal footing.

Therefore, the Indonesian G20 Presidency has also invited representatives of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the African Union to attend the meeting of environment ministers of G20 members, Bakar said.

“The voices of all countries, north and south, developed and developing, must be heard,” she said.

Efforts must be made so that all countries can contribute to solutions to face global environmental problems.

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Bakar recalled that great hope was placed on the G20 forum regarding collaboration to address environmental issues.

“The G20 should be relevant to the world at large, not to its members,” the minister said.

Indonesia drew attention to three issues at the G20 environment and climate ministerial meeting: supporting a sustainable global recovery, improving environmental protection actions, and collaboration between countries for the mobilization of resources in order to accelerate actions to protect the environment and fight against climate change.

The G20 environment and climate ministerial meeting is taking place in Nusa Dua, Bali, with 18 environment and climate ministers and deputy ministers attending in person, in addition to more than 200 delegates.

Bakar pointed out earlier that the G20 forum could serve as a platform for Indonesia to prove both domestically and internationally that the country can take action to save the earth.

“The important aspect of this program is that Indonesia is in the lead. There is a space where we update Indonesia to the best,” she remarked.

She said reaching a mutual agreement will not be easy as each country has its own values ​​and interests.

In addition, the agreement resulting from the meeting will be handed over to the Heads of State meeting for further discussion.

“There are aspects related to the mobilization of resources. For example, we encourage developed countries to lead the way. Some propose green navigation, but it would be difficult if it is a popular port. This continues to be negotiated” , she informed.

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