Jakarta (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, has expressed the hope that the Business 20 (B20) forum would help accelerate G20 members' efforts to meet the net-zero emissions target.

"With help from B20, the G20 will be able to move quickly to implementation in the energy sector by putting in place a framework to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement," Hartarto said while delivering the welcoming speech at the B20 Inception Meeting, which was accessed online here on Thursday.

The G20 countries need partners from the business sector to ensure a greener recovery, he added. Without real and continuous support, the G20 will not be able to achieve the net-zero emissions target by the middle of this century, he stressed.

The B20 plays a key role in supporting G20 to achieve inclusive, resilient, and sustainable development, he said. Therefore, business communities and governments must synergize, he added.

B20 members must also put aside their political differences and increase collaboration with other members, Hartarto said. The global pandemic should be optimized as an opportunity to rebuild a brighter future, he added.

"As the Chair of the G20, with clear directions from President Joko Widodo, Indonesia as a member of the G20 is involved in supporting changes in the three main global priorities, namely health, digitalization, and energy transition," he remarked.

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In addition, the contribution of B20 is also needed to increase access to vaccinations and diversify manufacturing capabilities, especially in developing countries, the minister said.

Then, there is a need to form a finance health task force that would develop a mobilization mechanism for prevention, preparedness, and response for controlling the pandemic, which is the key to economic recovery, he added.

"For that reason, we are committed to making improvements through the strengthening of detection, surveillance, treatment, health protocols, and vaccinations. We will also implement preventive measures to minimize the spread of COVID-19," Hartarto asserted.

Indonesia is also empowering people with digital skills to ensure a digital transformation that is inclusive and supports small-medium enterprises, women, and people with disabilities to fully participate and thrive in the new economy, he said.

The G20 could do more to bridge the connectivity gap by creating sustainable investment conditions with high-quality digital infrastructure, he added.

"Innovation and technology will benefit those who receive them. B20 is expected to be able to share how to prepare workers and human resources for the future of work," he remarked.
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Translator: Kuntum Khaira, Raka Adji
Editor: Suharto
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