City Continues Strengthening Role of Urban Areas in G20

Jakarta once again took on the role of strengthening the voice of urban areas on the G20 agenda through the first day of the Urban 20 (U20) Sherpa Meeting 2023 in Ahmedabad, India, last Thursday (2/9).

Jakarta fully supports the priorities presented at U20 Ahmedabad

In the initial session of the event, Jakarta was asked to present the "Looking Back U20 2022 at Jakarta" Sherpa U20 Jakarta.

Economics and Finance Assistant, Sri Haryati, as Sherpa U20 Jakarta explained that in the previous year, Jakarta had focused on discussing U20 on post-pandemic recovery efforts, energy crisis issues, and climate change.

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According to her, the discussion was summarized in three issues, namely investing in health and housing as a basis for economic and social recovery for all, encouraging a sustainable energy transition, and equal access to sustainable mobility. Including providing education and training on the future of employment to facilitate equitable access to employment opportunities.

These three issues had been outlined in the U20 2022 Communique which was signed by 45 cities, consisting of 28 participating cities and 17 observer cities.

She hoped that this year's U20 communique could also have a significant impact on G20 discussions.

"We found that the priority issues proposed by Ahmedabad this year are in line with the issues raised in the U20 cycle and the previous G20 Presidency. We hope to collectively draft a communique that the G20 leaders and governments recognize," she expressed, as quoted by Jakarta PPID's press release, Monday (2/13).

She also put special emphasis on the Advocacy session with another G20 Engagement Group, last Friday (2/10), to continue building post-pandemic resilience and Jakarta's support for Ahmedabad as the host city of the U20 2023.

"We are grateful that several cities have managed to overcome the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the post-pandemic impact presents urban areas with the same challenge, namely building resilient systems to protect against future shocks and ensure growth that is sustainable, inclusive, and equitable. Jakarta fully supports the priorities presented at U20 Ahmedabad and believes that these priorities need to be the focus of cities to address common challenges," she stated.

As for the information, the U20 Sherpa Meeting 2023 took place on February 9 and 10, 2023, which was attended by sherpas and sous-sherpas from the Participating Cities and Observer Cities in the U20.

This meeting is the first step to discuss crucial issues specifically faced by urban areas, to be included in a draft communique that will be finalized at the Governor and Mayor level meeting, which is planned to take place in mid-2023 and will be submitted as a recommendation to the G20 forum.