2022 Year in Review

But the unanimous condemnation of the
invasion and strong calls for peace and
unity with the presence of the Russian
representative during the G20 Summit
prove that Widodo can assert his influence
internationally, a good legacy to wrap up his
second presidential term in 2024.
Should Putin have been there, the summit
could have been chaotic with G20 leaders
potentially walking out or gravely
expressing their anger towards him.
Instead, Lavrov took his seat, acting as a
punching bag in Putin’s defence.
G20 PANDEMIC FUND TO
ANTICIPATE FUTURE
PANDEMIC
As the chair of this year’s G20, Indonesia
proposed three areas of priority namely
strengthening global health architecture,
digital transformation, and energy
transition as key factors to achieve
sustainable recovery after the Coronavirus
pandemic.
Inflation in many parts of the world hit a
new record of high in 40 years due to rising
energy prices caused by Russian initiated
war and disruption of supply chains caused
by China’s zero covid policy.
However, this does not mean that this
year’s priority set by Indonesia has been
sidelined.
Indonesia’s presidency of the G20 saw the
establishment and launch of the G20
P A G E 6 8
Pandemic Fund, the first of its kind, which
will be used to prevent, prepare and
respond to future pandemics in low-and
middle-income countries.
Through the scheme, the G20 host, still
arguably a developing country itself,
appears to have channeled the frustration
of the developing world over their
experience of being left behind - especially
in late receivals of Covid-19 vaccines that
were seen to be hoarded by richer nations.
Now with the Pandemic Fund, which is
managed by the World Bank, the targeted
countries will be able to use the money to
support efforts like research, surveillance,
vaccine development to help prevent a
future pandemic.
Regardless of how the money will be
distributed, the Pandemic Fund, which
needs $31 billion yearly, is a win for the
developing world as it can be more
prepared in case of a global health crisis in
the future.
TOUGHEST REGIONAL CRISIS
AHEAD AWAITS INDONESIA
AFTER G20
However, while Indonesia may have passed
the international test by successfully
holding the G20 amid global uncertainties,
the real test for the country lies ahead when
it will chair the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN) next year.
Expectations are high for Indonesia to take