JAKARTA — Indonesia has been urged to seize the opportunity to emerge as a leader in global climate diplomacy, as geopolitical turmoil and mounting economic pressures make the transition toward net-zero emissions an urgent agenda.
At the Indonesia Net-Zero Summit (INZS) 2026 held on Saturday, August 1, at Balai Kartini in Jakarta, Dino Patti Djalal, Chairman and Founder of the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia (FPCI), described climate change as "the greatest blind spot in world affairs" today. He noted that with ongoing wars, rapid advances in artificial intelligence, and intensifying trade competition, climate change has slipped down the list of international priorities. "It has become something that is interesting, but no longer considered urgent," he said.
Djalal urged the Indonesian government to play a more active role in climate diplomacy, particularly within the G20, whose member states account for nearly 80 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. The G20 includes countries such as the United States, China, India, and the European Union. He also emphasized that Indonesia should engage candidly with the US regarding the consequences of its withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, highlighting the harm caused to the international community, including Indonesia.
Highlighting Indonesia's natural advantages, Djalal said, "The world has no greater natural carbon sink than tropical forests. That gives us considerable leverage in building international cooperation." He recalled that Indonesia once vigorously championed forestry issues as a comparative advantage.
Biodiversity was also underscored as one of Indonesia's greatest assets, with the international community willing to invest in its protection. There is already a global convention dedicated to conserving biodiversity.
The summit attracted young participants, including Muhamad Zaki, an International Relations student at Diponegoro University in Semarang, who attended with around 30 fellow students from several universities. Tiara Rinelva, 22, said she joined the summit due to her interest in environmental issues and sustainability. Another participant, 24-year-old Zalwa Andini Putri, noted that Generation Z now has unprecedented access to information on environmental issues and climate change, making them more aware and responsive to these challenges.
The summit highlighted the need for Indonesia to leverage its unique position and natural resources to influence global climate action more effectively.
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