At the G20, Gibran Emphasized the Urgency of Strong and Fair Global Economic Growth

Johannesburg: The G20 Summit kicked off in South Africa on Saturday, November 22, 2025, marking a historic first for the African continent. Thirty-seven heads of state and government are in attendance, along with leaders of international organizations such as the UN Secretary-General, the IMF, and the World Bank.

"This event also concludes the leadership of Global South countries in the G20, which began with Indonesia in 2022, then India, Brazil, and now South Africa," said Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto at a press conference in Johannesburg early Sunday, November 23, 2025.

On the first day, Airlangga stated that Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka had attended two main sessions. The first session discussed inclusive and sustainable economics and development financing. The second session focused on disaster risk mitigation, climate change, the energy transition, and food systems.

In his speech, Vice President Gibran emphasized the urgency of strong, fair, and inclusive global economic growth, with equal access to international financing for developing countries.

Airlangga explained that Vice President Gibran is promoting various innovative efforts, including debt relief, blended financing, and the green transition. Vice President Gibran also promoted Indonesia's low-cost digital solution, namely QR code payments, which are now being adopted in several ASEAN countries, Japan, and Korea.

"The Vice President also encouraged the initiation of the G20 Dialogue on artificial intelligence economics, taking into account increasingly advanced financial technology," Airlangga said.

Regarding the issue of food security, Vice President Gibran emphasized that food is not just an economic agenda, but also a strategic investment. He highlighted a recent report showing that 720 million people worldwide still live in hunger.

The free nutritious meal program, said Vice President Gibran, can be an example of a policy that promotes local products while empowering farmers and livestock breeders.

Vice President Gibran also touched on the disaster challenges faced by Indonesia as an archipelagic nation in the "Ring of Fire," emphasizing that disasters are not only caused by natural factors but also by human actions, as seen in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, and the Sahel. He called for humanity to be placed at the center of global governance and encouraged the G20 to set a good example.

Airlangga added that many countries reinforced Indonesia's message. South Africa, for example, emphasized the need for greater space for the African continent, considered a future region with rapid growth and high strategic potential.

"What Indonesia started with its 2022 chairmanship is being continued by South Africa, particularly promoting inclusivity, strengthening the role of the Global South in global economic governance, and ensuring the G20 forum represents the interests of all nations," Airlangga said.

On the sidelines of the G20 Summit, Vice President Gibran also attended the MIKTA Leaders Gathering with the leaders of Mexico, South Korea, Turkey, and Australia. Indonesia expressed its appreciation for South Korea's leadership in MIKTA this year and welcomed Australia as the next chair.

In addition, Vice President Gibran held a number of bilateral pull-aside meetings with various state leaders and international organizations, including the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, the Prime Minister of Vietnam, the President of Angola as Chair of the African Union, the President of Finland, the Director General of the WTO, and the Secretary General of UNCTAD.