Dyah Roro Esti (second from left) poses with IPPP delegates during the second session of the 2nd IPPP agenda at the Fairmont Hotel, Jakarta, Thursday (25/7/2024). Photo: Jaka/Andri

PARLEMENTARIA, Jakarta – The House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia and the parliaments of Pacific countries have officially established cooperation through the Indonesia-Pacific Parliamentary Partnership (IPPP) Forum since its formation in 2018. In 2024, the House is once again hosting the 2nd IPPP meeting in Jakarta.

In a meeting held with three discussion panels, one of the main topics discussed between the House and the parliaments of Pacific countries is climate change. As island nations, Indonesia and the Pacific countries are significantly impacted by climate change.

"Considering that these (Pacific) countries are small, island nations that are highly vulnerable to rising sea levels, they are certainly at risk of disappearing (sinking islands, ed.). Therefore, they strive to emphasize the importance of cooperation in finding appropriate solutions to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change," said Dyah Roro Esti, a member of the House Committee for Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation, to Parlementaria during the second session of the 2nd IPPP agenda in Jakarta, Thursday (25/7/2024).

Roro revealed that each member country of the IPPP forum is committed to reducing carbon emissions. She mentioned that Indonesia has ratified the Paris Agreement, with a clear commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 32 percent.

According to Roro, the role of parliaments in this regard is to encourage their respective governments to formulate policies that reduce the negative impacts of climate change. She also emphasized the importance of collaboration among IPPP member countries.

"Given that parliaments act as legislators and governments as executors, government programs should focus more on how we can create a sustainable future. Budget policies are crucial, and we have the authority to provide input," explained the Golkar Party politician.

She hopes that the agreements reached at the 2nd IPPP meeting can serve as recommendations to each country's government to remain committed to efforts to reduce carbon emissions. "Any agreement we produce from the IPPP will be important input to be communicated to the government. We have met with representatives from eleven countries with notes a, b, c. We request the government's commitment to realizing the major goals agreed upon at today's event," concluded the member of the DPR Committee related to renewable energy issues. (bia/rdn)