Page 46 - BUKU STRENGTHENING THE INDONESIAN PARLIAMENTARY DIPLOMACY FADLI ZON

plague the sustainability of economic development itself in the long run. To put it shortly, the
challenge of economic development that is yet to be fully inclusive is a major work to be done
by this region. Moreover, the sustainable development goals agenda, as part of this region’s
economic growth strategy, needs to be addressed by showing stronger political will.

As we are aware, important mineral resources and oil and gas reserves will deplete come 2050.
Together, we also need to tackle the difficult challenges with respect to the lives of more than
400 million urban population in Asia, which have been predicted to become victims of floods as
the level of groundwater increases by 2025. In addition, today, it is estimated that 35% of carbon
emission resulted by the world’s energy consumption is produced by countries in Asia. This is
a far larger number in comparison with the same emission in the period of 1990, in which we
accounted for only 17%.

As we fully believe that sustainable development is a prerequisite for economic growth and
reduced level of poverty, real, tangible steps and breakthroughs as part of climate change
mitigation and adaptation efforts need to be integrated in the strategy formulation and
development planning of our region. These efforts are directed towards, as underlined by results
of existing studies, not only to reduce the amount of cost that we would have to bear should
we take these steps too late, but also and more importantly to uphold the global sustainable
development goals post-MDGs.

The challenges before us as a region with the highest density level and the largest region in
the world occupied by 4.3 billion people, or around 60% of the world’s population, are not
small, and they are multidimensional. These challenges bring us here today, addressing and
building cooperation between parliaments in Asia. With the power vested in us as members
of the parliaments, together we are demanded to be able to articulate our commitment as well
as real, tangible, and measurable programs in order to drive further efforts to synergize the
agenda relating to economic growth with sustainable development goals. All for the purpose of
creating peace and prosperity. We hope that in the two-day meetings we will produce resolution
drafts to reinvigorate our efforts, and that we will come up with more effective approaches in
the endeavors to realize the goals that I have outlined. The resolution drafts to be discussed in
this APA’s Commission Assembly will be brought to the upcoming 8th APA plenary assembly
in Cambodia.

Allow me to emphasize that through a series of earlier meetings, APA has in fact conducted
substantial discussion on economic growth and sustainable development. We have developed
considerable number of resolutions and declarations. Nevertheless, I invite us to openly
acknowledge that there has not been significant progress made in regards to APA cooperation.
This is an issue that we need to overcome together by pursuing measurable output targets,
which would result in real benefits for the people in Asia. We carry the hope of many Asian
people on our shoulders, the hope to make this region a prosper, peaceful, and amiable place.
Therefore, APA must be an effective part of that grand and noble ambition.

Selected Speeches of the Vice Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia I 33