Indonesia outlines priorities as G-20 president

Indonesia, which takes over the presidency of the Group of 20 (G-20) on Dec 1, has outlined three priorities for the grouping which includes most of the world's largest economies.

The three priorities are global health, energy transition and digital transformation.

Disclosing this at a briefing for foreign media on Friday, Indonesia's Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said the first sherpa meeting on Dec 7-8 will set the agenda of the presidency, explain the planned meetings, and start working on deliverables. Sherpa is a term used to refer to the personal representative of a head of state or head of government who prepares an international summit.

"Indonesia is honoured to hold the presidency of the G-20 for 2022," said Ms Retno. "We will work as hard as we can to assume this responsibility and bring benefits not only for the G-20, but also to developing and least developed countries."

Nearly 21,000 foreign delegates are expected to attend 150 meetings in 19 cities across Indonesia during its year-long presidency of the group, ending with the summit of leaders in Bali in October.

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Pandjaitan, who was also at Friday's briefing, said that hosting the G-20 indicated Indonesia's "rising recognition, influence, and power globally".

It would contribute significantly to Indonesia's post-pandemic recovery, boost local tourism, promote products by its micro, small and medium enterprises as well as showcase the country's initiatives towards sustainable development, such as its transition to renewable energy and electric vehicles, said Mr Luhut.

The minister also said that Indonesia would leverage the growing global interest in the country by creating investment opportunities which align with national development objectives.

"We must leverage the momentum to unlock Indonesia's potential and promote our development progress to the world," he said.