Thursday, July 13, 2017

G20 NATIONS STAND UNITED AND FIRM AGAINST TERRORISM by Fardah

Jakarta, July 13 , 2017(Antara) - Leaders of G20 member countries, including Indonesia, share a common view that terrorism is a global scourge that must be fought and terrorist-safe havens be eliminated in every part of the world.
        Hence, at a gathering in Hamburg, Germany, on July 7-8, 2017, the leaders pledged to forge closer cooperation in undertaking counterterrorism and deradicalization efforts.
       Their commitment was outlined in The Hamburg G20 Leaders' Statement on Countering Terrorism that, among other things, read: "We, the Leaders of the G20, strongly condemn all terrorist attacks worldwide and stand united and firm in the fight against terrorism and its financing. These atrocious acts have strengthened our resolve to cooperate to enhance our security and protect our citizens."
   The leaders, including President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), vowed to facilitate swift and targeted exchanges of information between intelligence, law enforcement, and judicial authorities on operational information-sharing, preventive measures, and criminal justice response while ensuring the necessary balance between security and data protection aspects in accordance with national laws.

        Moreover, they will ensure that counterterrorism steps will continue to be part of a comprehensive approach, including combating radicalization and recruitment, curbing terrorist movements, and countering terrorist propaganda.

        "We will exchange best practices on preventing and countering terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism, national strategies, and deradicalization and disengagement programs, and the promotion of strategic communication as well as robust and positive narratives to counter the terrorist propaganda," they noted in the joint statement.
        At the summit, President Jokowi shared Indonesia's experiences in dealing with terrorism.     
   Owing to the country's deradicalization efforts to deal with terrorism, only three out of the 560 former terrorists, or 0.53 percent, were keen on indulging in terrorism.

        Additionally, two of the largest Islamic organizations in Indonesia -- Muhammadiyah and Nahdlatul Ulama -- have played important roles in spreading peace and tolerant Islamic teachings.
        Jokowi called on the G20 countries to serve as a driving force to seeking solutions to the root cause of terrorism, arising from inequality and injustice, by strengthening inclusive economic empowerment, according to Head of the Press, Media, and Information Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat Bureau Bey Machmudin.
        The G20 countries need to develop cooperation in the field of intelligence exchange, the handling of foreign terrorist fighters or FTF, and the development of capacity building.
        Having the largest Muslim population in the world, Indonesia is a plural country and the third-largest democracy in the world.
        With its unique and strategic position, the president said Indonesia remains committed to being part of the global efforts to combating terrorism as well as spreading peace and tolerance.
        While holding a bilateral meeting with US President Donald J. Trump on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, the two leaders underscored their resolve to defeat terrorist networks in Southeast Asia and around the world and emphasized the importance of isolating terrorists from financial and ideological support. 
   In addition to terrorism issue, the Indonesia also reminded member countries of their commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

           The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) ¿ part of a wider 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development ¿ build on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). These eight goals, set by the United Nations back in 2000 to eradicate poverty, hunger, illiteracy and disease, expire at the end of this year.
        In the context of sustainable development, Indonesia is highly committed to implementing the 2030 Agenda, Bey Machmudin noted in a press statement.
          He quoted President Jokowi as saying that Indonesia has taken and led directly a wide range of steps to ensure the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
         "I have signed a presidential regulation on the implementation of SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) and have set up a national coordinating team for it," Jokowi said.
        Indonesia will also use the UN forum in the upcoming week to report on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda through the voluntary national review.
        At the G20 Summit, Jokowi also reiterated Indonesia's commitment to implementing the Paris Agreement.
         In addressing the challenges of climate change, Indonesia will always be part of the solution by taking several steps to anticipate the impact of climate change, including introducing a moratorium on the opening of new farm land, the president explained.
         In addition, Indonesia has set up a peatland restoration board to restore two million hectares of peatland in five years' time and mitigate efforts to fight forest and land fires.
         "Indonesia will also keep down the volume of garbage by up to 30 percent in 2025 through a reduce-reuse-recycle scheme and has set itself the target of slashing marine plastic debris by up to 70 percent in 2025," he stated.
           At the conclusion of his address, the president urged G20 countries to not give up their commitment to the 2030 Agenda, particularly when it comes to climate change and renewable energy.
       The "Group of Twenty" is made up of 19 countries and the European Union. The countries are: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the USA.   ***2***
(f001/INE)
EDITED BY INE
(T.F001/A/BESSR/F. Assegaf) 13-07-2017

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