Jakarta, INTI - Indonesia is being encouraged to take a more active role in the low-carbon technology ecosystem, not only as a market, but also as a producer, innovator, and creator of added value as the Asia-Pacific region advances its green transition.
The call was made by James Karnadi, Chairman of the Anak Muda Amankan Indonesia (AMAN) community and Chief Commissioner of AMAN Group Indonesia, during the High-Level Meeting on APEC Technologies Empower Low Carbon Action (TELCA) in Shenzhen, China, held on September 2–4, 2026.
“The green economy is not merely an environmental agenda. It is the foundation of a new era of economic growth. Indonesia must ensure that we are not only users or markets for technology, but also become an important part of the production, innovation, and value-creation process,” James said.
The TELCA meeting was part of the APEC 2026 series of activities and was held under the framework of the APEC Policy Partnership for Science, Technology and Innovation (PPSTI).
The forum brought together more than 40 participants from 18 APEC economies, including policymakers, academics, international organizations, and private-sector representatives.
Green Transition Seen as Key Driver of Future Investment
James said the transition toward low-carbon technologies is not only about meeting environmental commitments, but also has significant implications for investment, industrialization, job creation, and economic competitiveness across the Asia-Pacific region.
He noted that unequal access to green technologies could create new forms of economic disparity if technology, financing, and industrial capacity remain concentrated in countries with sufficient capital and infrastructure.
For this reason, cooperation among APEC members should go beyond trade and technology sales to include knowledge transfer, human capital development, local industrial capacity building, and access to competitive financing.
“Developing countries do not need technologies that can only be purchased. We need partnerships that enable these technologies to be operated, adapted, produced, and ultimately developed together,” James said.
Indonesia is considered to have significant potential to serve as a bridge between technology-producing countries and emerging markets seeking affordable low-carbon solutions.
Investment Encouraged to Strengthen Domestic Industry
James encouraged Indonesia to capitalize on the momentum of the green transition to strengthen its domestic industrial structure by directing investment toward value creation, human resource development, and improvements in domestic production and technological capabilities.
“Our goal is not simply to increase investment, but to attract investment that strengthens industrial sovereignty and enhances Indonesia’s bargaining position in global value chains,” James added.
This approach is considered important for strengthening Indonesia’s position in a range of future-oriented sectors, including clean energy, green manufacturing, electric vehicles, and digital technology.
The outcomes of the TELCA discussions will be compiled into the APEC Technologies Empowering Low-Carbon Action Project Report, which will outline a roadmap and recommendations on low-carbon technology accessibility and cross-economy partnership models.
The recommendations will subsequently be followed up through the APEC Policy Partnership on Science, Technology and Innovation framework.
APEC economies account for around 60 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions, placing greater pressure on the Asia-Pacific region to accelerate the green transition and reduce emissions while maintaining economic growth.
Conclusion
Indonesia has a significant opportunity to move beyond being a consumer of low-carbon technologies and become an active producer and innovator. By directing green investment toward domestic manufacturing, human capital, technology development, and value creation, Indonesia can strengthen its industrial sovereignty and competitiveness while contributing to a more inclusive and sustainable green transition across the Asia-Pacific.
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