In 2021, global economic activity recovered at a solid pace, but as the G20 Leaders acknowledged in Rome, the recovery remains highly divergent across and within countries. The same phenomenon has been witnessed in many sectors of the economy, with adverse consequences for those most impacted, such as youth, and informal and low-skilled workers.
The creative economy has been severely affected by the pandemic lockdowns. Yet not all players and all regions have been equally impacted. Multilateral and regional coordination is thus essential to prevent the aggravation of imbalances in cultural and creative industries, to ensure that the benefits of digitalization are shared broadly and contribute to reducing inequalities.
“Recover Stronger, Recover Together” is the baseline of G20 Indonesia and we are fully supportive of government and civil society initiatives aimed at responding through creative and innovative ways to the current challenges. Cooperation among G20 engagement groups and with G20 ministerial working groups is essential.
This is an opportunity to address flaws and inherited fragilities in the organization of the creative economy since the issue emerged on the global stage at the turn of millennium. It is not an issue of creative classes any longer, nor should creative economy be in the hands of global platforms only. Securing and creating a globally agreed taxonomy and definition, safeguarding and promoting culture, valuing local governments’ initiatives in favor of creative and cultural industries, are priorities. The engagement of international institutions, such as the World Trade Organization (WTO), the International Property Organization (IPO), the United Nations Education, Science and Culture Organization (UNESCO), the United Nations Commission for Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is essential.
Indonesia has long argued in favor of the creative economy. It supported the Bali Agenda for Creative Economy in 2018 and the adoption by the United Nations General Assembly of the resolution making 2021 as the Year of the Creative Economy for Sustainable Development. As host country of the G20 in 2022 and chair of the ASEAN secretariat in 2023, we seek to streamline local, regional, and global efforts to strengthen the creative economy as a driver of content-driven prosperity. The creative economy is an asset for promoting accessible jobs, especially in micro, small, and medium-size enterprises, in times of rapid changes in labor markets. The creative economy is an important dimension of the development of sustainable tourism.
The G20 was established following the Asian financial crisis of 1997. Since then, the world economy has faced two major economic crises in 2007–2008 and since 2020. In more than 20 years, the G20 has transformed. Initiated as a consultative forum for the finance ministers and central bank governors, the forum has included a growing number of issues in its agenda. Such changes are a reflection of deep transformations of the world economy, calling for forward thinking and creative institutional and entrepreneurial responses.
The models of quadruple or penta-helix coalitions of governments, academic, civic, and entrepreneurial stakeholders that underpin successful creative economy initiatives should serve as examples for the G20. We have tried to innovate this year and have asked creative minds to provide a graphic G20 diary that is shared widely. I am very pleased that Creative Economy 2030 has been developed with a similar mindset.
Let’s continue to be creative together!
Edi Prio Pambudi Co-Sherpa, G20 Indonesia
