During a meeting with Rousseff in Jakarta on Tuesday, Airlangga introduced Indonesia’s priority programs under President Prabowo Subianto's administration, which include food security and clean energy initiatives.
"Currently, Indonesia is running a free nutritious meal program at various levels of education at the national level, with the hope of driving the rural economy and creating multiplier effects," Airlangga noted in his statement.
The NDB is a multilateral development bank established by the BRICS countries to finance infrastructure projects and sustainable development in developing countries.
The NDB prioritizes infrastructure development and poverty alleviation through programs that support industrialization, thereby fostering job creation.
Furthermore, Airlangga emphasized the Indonesian government's commitment to developing renewable energy sources to achieve net zero emissions by 2060, including through the mandatory B40 biofuel program.
In response to the presentation, the NDB president expressed surprise at Indonesia's achievement with B40, especially when compared to Brazil's experience, which, after several years, had only managed to reach B17.
She also commended the Indonesian government's accomplishments in the energy sector, particularly in biofuel processing.
She noted that this achievement represents a significant innovation, considering that B40 is designed for use in the transportation sector and as fuel in the mineral processing industry.
Indonesia possesses numerous potential sources of renewable energy, including geothermal, hydro, and critical minerals.
Given the existing potential and national priority programs, the NDB believes that Indonesia will serve as a vital partner for this bank, aligning with NDB's goal and commitment to becoming a sustainable and green development bank focused on renewable energy.
Concluding the meeting, both parties agreed to coordinate to further explore the potential for cooperation and the possibility of Indonesia joining the NDB as a member.
The New Development Bank is not like other multilateral banks because it respects the sovereignty of each country, so there is no veto power, NDB President Dilma Vana Rousseff stated.
Related news: Indonesian FM shares govt’s national programs with NDB
Translator: Bayu Saputra, Yashinta Difa
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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