Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian Vice President (VP) Gibran Rakabuming Raka emphasized the importance of implementing all government development programs with attention to environmental, social, and sustainability aspects.
Speaking at the Green Impact Festival in Jakarta on Thursday, Raka stated that the current global climate crisis is a stark reminder that development can no longer focus solely on economic growth.
"I am sure my friends here already know that many countries, major countries in the world, are currently being impacted by climate change due to global warming," Raka remarked at the forum, which was attended by young people.
He stressed that several impacts of climate change, such as extreme drought, flooding, sea level rise, and the threat of crop failure, are real challenges Indonesia now faces and cannot be ignored.
"The challenges are right before our eyes, and we must act immediately," he emphasized.
Despite facing various global pressures such as the COVID-19 pandemic, economic recession, and geopolitical conflict, Raka said that Indonesia has demonstrated strong economic resilience.
He noted that first-quarter economic growth remained at 4.7 to 4.8 percent, with inflation controlled at 1.8 percent annually.
However, he emphasized that the challenge ahead is to free Indonesia from the middle-income trap by increasing domestic added value, with a focus on sustainable development.
"So, this is how we can escape the middle-income trap by increasing domestic added value," he remarked.
He stated that Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has consistently stressed the need to implement every government vision and program by prioritizing three main pillars: environmental, social, and sustainability.
"The president always conveys the message that every vision, mission, and program must be implemented by prioritizing environmental, social, and aspirations aspects," he remarked.
