Prabowo Subianto on G20
TL;DR
Prabowo Subianto has prioritized domestic and non-G20 foreign agendas over attending the 2025 Johannesburg G20 Summit.
Key Points
He sent Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka to represent Indonesia at the November 2025 G20 Summit in Johannesburg.
When present at the G20 in November 2024, he emphasized Indonesia's commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050 and carbon credit potential.
His administration tasked the Vice President to stress Indonesia's commitment to equitable technology access and a fair global partnership at the 2025 summit.
Summary
Prabowo Subianto's position regarding direct participation in the G20 summit has been characterized by absence, opting instead to delegate representation to his Vice President for the 2025 summit in Johannesburg. The official explanation for his absence was a scheduling conflict due to separate state agendas, including international meetings, while critics suggested the decision was a foreign policy misstep that undermined his multilateralism stance.
Despite his personal absence from the 2025 event, Indonesia's engagement remains focused on the priorities established by his administration, such as advancing green energy, sustainable development goals, and the role of critical minerals. The Vice President, representing him, stressed the need for a fair global financing system and highlighted domestic programs like the free nutritious meal initiative, suggesting that policy continuity is maintained even when the President is not physically present at the forum.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, Prabowo Subianto did not personally attend the G20 Summit in Johannesburg in November 2025. He delegated the representation to Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka due to a conflicting state agenda.
When previously participating, Prabowo Subianto highlighted Indonesia's green energy vision, its role in global climate balance, and plans for expanding renewable energy capacity. His representative continued this focus on sustainable development and fair global financing at the 2025 summit.
The official reason provided was that the G20 Summit dates conflicted with several presidential engagements within the country. However, this decision drew criticism, with some commentators suggesting it was a foreign policy blunder that damaged his multilateral image.
Sources6
Indonesian VP briefs President Prabowo on G20 Summit outcomes
Prabowo Sends Vice President Gibran to Represent Indonesia at G20 Summit in Johannesburg
G20 Summit: President Prabowo Subianto Highlights Indonesia's Green Energy Vision, Global Climate Role
Why Indonesia's Prabowo Sends VP Gibran for G20 Summit in His Absence
Indonesia VP Gibran steps in for President Prabowo at G20 summit under US boycott
Skipping G20, a costly foreign policy blunder for Prabowo | Windonesia - A Window to Indonesia's Regional Investment Potential
* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.