The United Nations General Assembly has once again become an arena for the attraction of the world's great narratives. One of the striking differences is the sharp difference between Donald Trump, who is the president of the United States, and Prabowo Subianto, who is the president of Indonesia, regarding the issue of climate change. One of the issues, namely climate change echoed at the UN General Assembly, has shown in contrast that Donald Trump has again shown his skepticism of the climate crisis, while Prabowo Subianto has taken a position that demands real action and moral commitment. This narrative conflict is not just about the ideas of the two leaders, but as a symbol of the inequality that exists between the Global North and the Global South, about who is rejecting responsibility and who is demanding that climate affairs be recognized as a moral and practical urgency.

In a speech at the UN General Assembly on September 23, 2025, Donald Trump clearly said that climate change is "the greatest con job". And the statement makes it clear that Donald Trump sees the world's efforts to address climate change as false claims or public deception and not as a response to scientific reality and the damage that has already been done. What Donald Trump has done to the climate crisis narrative is not a new phenomenon, but reflects the consistency with his political stance that prioritizes domestic economic interests, especially those based on the fossil industry and convergent energy, especially if you look at the policies taken by Donald Trump that came out of the Paris agreement. And this narrative has a strong political base in the United States because Trump's supporters are the ones who depend on coal, oil, gas, and other industries whose economies are still strongly supported by fossil energy. The rejection is often wrapped in criticism of the high cost of renewable energy, subsidies for the expansion of green industries, and environmental regulations that are considered to hinder the country's economic growth.

This kind of attitude from a major emitting country can undermine cross-border trust in climate diplomacy. For example, when efforts such as the Paris Agreement are built on the basis that all countries, including those that are members of the Global North, must commit to participating in curbing the rate of global warming. The open rejection by the United States could weaken the global climate agenda, inviting doubts from developing countries or the Global South about whether their efforts to address the climate crisis will be supported or played. This also ultimately leads to hampered cooperation in funding, to technology transfer, and for example when the United States finally pulls out or withdraws support from some compensation mechanisms for countries affected by severe climates.

Instead, what President Prabowo Subianto is doing is a clear narrative that climate change is a real threat and that Indonesia is not just silent. Prabowo Subianto emphasized that Indonesia will achieve Net Zero Emissions by 2060 or sooner before 2060. Through measures such as energy transition, forest restoration, and massive investments in renewable energy. President Prabowo and his government have built renewable energy plants in various provinces, strengthened emission regulations in various transportation sectors, and worked on independence to become a battery supply chain for electric vehicles as part of the strategy to accelerate the net zero emission target.

But it is inevitable that the challenges faced by Indonesia are still huge. Heavy sectors such as coal-based power generation still hold dominance, uneven renewable energy infrastructure, high capital for sustainable technology, and challenges for equitable distribution to remote areas. And let's not forget that the integration between policies at the center and realization in the regions is still not right when implemented. Legislative or policy measures have not been accompanied by strong implementation, existing targets to achieve net zero emissions by 2060 require a clear roadmap and public accountability.

Looking further, what Donald Trump and Prabowo Subianto have stated has reflected the climate narrative battle between the Global North and the Global South. The Global North has historically produced the majority of greenhouse gas emissions since the first industrial revolution. The Global North has benefited greatly from industrialization ranging from increased levels of prosperity, infrastructure development, to advances in technological capabilities. For this reason, many argue that the Global North has a historical responsibility to take the lead in mitigating emissions and supporting adaptation in the Global South, which is most affected by the climate and its limited capacity to address the climate crisis.

This concept of climate justice requires developed countries to help developing countries, not only in financial aspects, but also in technological capacity to institutional and institutional capacity, and in real recognition (loss and damage). Countries in the Global South are pressing for the Global North to meet agreed funding pledges such as a $100 billion per year pledge and open access to clean technology self-sufficiency. Violations of these promises increase mistrust, such as what the United States did when it exited the Paris Agreement and Donald Trump declared that it did not believe in the climate crisis.

For the Global South, the climate crisis is not just a future risk, but a real threat now. Such as rising sea levels, extreme storms, uncertain weather changes, drought, and causing conflicts due to water crises. As for what happened in the countries of the Global North, due to the geographical location and stronger adaptation systems, the heavy impact that occurred could still be anticipated or avoided, allowing for a "more relaxed" or skeptical attitude because it felt like it did not happen in front of our eyes.

Prabowo Subianto did not only speak to present Indonesia, but also to expand his narrative to the needs of Global South countries. This ultimately creates diplomatic pressure on the Global North to meet its historical commitments. Prabowo Subianto raised this issue to mean that if the Global North refuses, global trust and cooperation will be compromised.

The narrative battle at the UN general assembly between Donald Trump and Prabowo Subianto is more than just a drama between leaders, but it reflects a deep conflict between the Global North that often denies responsibility or provides minimal answers, and the Global South that demands justice, urgency, and real action. Prabowo showed that Indonesia wants to be at the forefront, not as an object or passive victim, but as a party that contributes to overcoming the climate crisis.

The problem of the climate crisis is not just an environmental issue, but a moral and political test for countries in the world. If the world chooses to deny the existence of the climate crisis, then the vulnerable will suffer even more. If the world chooses to take action and solidarity, then there is hope for effective mitigation and equitable adaptation. And in the end, in overcoming the climate crisis, it cannot be done alone.