"I laud Germany's support in strengthening climate change cooperation through the construction of the Green Infrastructure Initiative worth 2.5 billion euros, including the construction of the world mangrove center, which was just inaugurated a few days ago," Jokowi conveyed during a joint press statement with German President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, at the Bogor Presidential Palace, Thursday.
President Jokowi also called on President Steinmeier to become a partner in processing new and renewable energy potentials in the integration of green transmission in North Sulawesi worth 150 million euros and a geothermal energy pilot project worth 300 million euros.
The Green Infrastructure Initiative (GII) is a collaboration between the Indonesian and German governments to support Indonesia's efforts in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in a sustainable manner.
GII provides financial cooperation facilities for five years, with a value of up to 2.5 billion euros (approximately Rp40.7 trillion), to support infrastructure projects that are relevant to the environment and climate through subsidized loans and promotional loans channeled through the German Development Bank (KfW).
The GII investment was agreed upon during bilateral negotiations on October 1, 2019, in Berlin for three thematic sectors: solid waste management, water and liquid waste management, and urban public transportation.
The World Mangrove Center was also newly launched on June 11, 2022, by President Jokowi at the National Nursery Center, Rumpin, Bogor District.
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In addition to environmental issues and climate change, President Jokowi also proposed collaboration with Germany, which is the Chair of the G7 group.
"We proposed collaboration of the G20 under the Indonesian Presidency and the G7 under the chairmanship of Germany. The G20 and G7 have the same priority in energy transition," Jokowi remarked.
The G7 is a group of seven countries comprising Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The G7 members are the countries that represent more than 64 percent of the global net worth, or about US$263 trillion.
"I invited Germany and the G7 countries to contribute in various forms of knowledge and technology as well as access to funding. It was also to support the establishment of energy transition financing and the carbon market in Indonesia as well as cooperation in hydrogen research and electric cars," Jokowi stated.
Diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Germany were officially established on June 25, 1952. This year, the two countries officially commemorated the 70th anniversary of their diplomatic relations.
The highlight of President Steinmeier's visit to Indonesia was to discuss investment, trade, energy transition, and cooperation between the G20 and G7 countries.
Before arriving at the Bogor Presidential Palace, President Steinmeier visited the tomb of the third Indonesian President, B. J. Habibie, at the Kalibata Heroes Cemetery.
President Steinmeier's entourage arrived on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, at the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and will stay in Indonesia until June 17, 2022. President Steinmeier had earlier visited Singapore on June 13-15, 2022.
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Translator: Desca Lidya N, Resinta S
Editor: Suharto
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