First, we have the challenge of cross-country data flow, which was indeed a sensitive issue
Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara (ANTARA) - The Communication and Information Technology Ministry has informed that at least two national issues pertaining to the digital economy are brought forth during the second meeting of Sherpa 20 in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara.

"First, we have the challenge of cross-country data flow, which was indeed a sensitive issue," special staff of digital and human resources at the ministry, Dedy Permadi, stated after a meeting in Labuan Bajo on Monday.

During the discussion on the issue, the principles had to be covered at length. Not every G20 country would agree to it, so it must be negotiated, he remarked.

Indonesia raised some principles, such as lawfulness, fairness, transparency, and reciprocity in some contexts.

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"Not all countries agree with those principles, so there needs to be (extensive) negotiation," Permadi remarked.

The second challenge is the geopolitical issue that remains rampant nowadays, he added. This issue had become a tough matter in negotiations or discussions in the digital economy working group forum.

Although it had become one of the main challenges, Indonesia, as the G20 president, managed to bring the situation under control.

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Permadi noted that the geopolitical issue posed a major challenge, but his administration had pushed for communication with every delegation to come to terms or meet a general consensus.

"We hope that a consensus is reached because the basis of the G20 is consensus, so we try as best as possible to sit together to reach a consensus," he pointed out.

Delegations of 19 member countries, nine guest countries, and 10 international organizations participated in the second Sherpa 20 meeting in Labuan Bajo held on July 10-13, 2022. The United States participated in the meeting through virtual means.


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Translator: Aloysius L, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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