EKONID ANNUAL REPORT 2018|
19
T
he EU-Indonesia Business Dialogue (EIBD) 2018
was successfully held on October 25, 2018, at
the Ayana Midplaza Hotel in Jakarta and was
attended by around 300 participants. Circular
Economy was the focal point of EIBD 2018 as businesses
and government officials from the EU and Indonesia
explored ways to maximize economic growth through
more sustainable practices.
A Circular Economy is a broad set of policies and
economic approaches designed to minimize resource
input and waste, greenhouse-gas emissions and energy
leakage by keeping the value of products and materials
in the economy for as long as possible and minimizing
waste generation. This approach could potentially
add US$4.5 trillion over the next decade to the global
economy while better protecting our increasingly
vulnerable environment.
“Indonesia is an essential ally for the EU to make the
next step change towards a global circular economy. The
circular economy model is a tremendous opportunity
for business, but also for our societies and planet. The
EU is leading by example in the transition to a resource-
efficient, circular and low-carbon future. But we cannot
thrive alone. The EU stands ready to work with Indonesia
to support this transition. It is good for business, for
the environment and for climate protection,” said
Mr. Karmenu Vella, European Commissioner for
Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, who was
among the high-level public officials attending the event.
Mr. Vella’s visit to Indonesia is a part of EU “Circular
Economy Missions”, which sets up high-level political and
business meetings to promote sustainable development
within a global context, highlighting the applicability of
the circular economy concept in both developed and
developing countries. The idea is to inspire countries
around the world to contribute to economic growth
and generate new jobs and business opportunities
through sustainable practices, in line with international
commitments under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development.
The event was also attended by Indonesian
Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya Bakar
who, along with Mr. Vella, delivered keynote speeches at
the EIBD’s Youth and Business Sessions. Both Vella and
Bakar discussed the circular economy approach.
As one of the regions furthest along in implementing
a circular economy, the EU and European business
community are ready and willing to support and
collaborate with the government and Indonesian
business leaders to accelerate adoption in Indonesia,
which is often criticized as the world’s second largest
producer of plastic waste. Indonesia is committed to a
30% reduction of solid waste generation by 2025 and
70% waste handling (compared to business as usual),
meaning zero unplanned leakage into the environment,
compared to 28%, or 18.5 million tons, in 2017.
First initiated in 2009, EIBD 2018 is the eighth year
of this annual high-level conference. It is jointly hosted
by EuroCham and the EU-Indonesia Business Network
(EIBN). It is also supported by the EU and co-organized
by the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
(Kadin), the Indonesian Employers Association (APINDO),
EKONID and other European Billateral Chambers.
8
th
year of the annual high-
level conference
300
participants
