VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

British Ambassador Owen Jenkins will visit Surabaya on his second official visit on 1-2 December 2021 to meet with East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa, Surabaya Mayor Eri Cahyadi and other stakeholders.

The visit will emphasize and continue to develop dynamic cooperation between the UK and the government of East Java in the fields of economy, trade and investment, disaster mitigation preparedness, social and environmental partnerships, and football development.

Together with Governor Khofifah, the British Ambassador will witness the signing of agreements including the creation of a technoscience park by the Sepuluh November Institute of Technology (ITS) Surabaya and Liverpool John Moores University; and British company Shire Oak with Jatim Graha Utama for solar panel installation.

The British Ambassador will also meet with students from the Blind Children's Education Foundation – YPAB to watch an earthquake evacuation simulation. This is a project funded by the UK government through the Global Future Cities Programme. This project aims to share cutting-edge technology, so that people with disabilities can save themselves during an earthquake, including tools to help people with disabilities who have visual impairments.

The British Ambassador's visit to YPAB coincides with the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities which is commemorated on 3 December – and shows how the UK is supporting inclusivity around the world by encouraging people to go further and faster to ensure that disability is not a barrier to living an independent and full life, in where everyone can reach their full potential.

British Ambassador to Indonesia and Timor Leste Owen Jenkins said he was happy to visit Surabaya again.

“This is my second official visit to a city and province with so many opportunities for collaboration with the UK, and great potential for even more growth. The UK is doing a great job of building our relationship with Surabaya in many areas: from economics, trade, and investment, to education, to football.

In addition, Owen said, he also wanted to see for himself how the UK's Global Future Cities program is delivering results in increasing earthquake resilience and supporting the urban creative economy.

“This program is very important especially for women and marginalized groups and communities including people with disabilities. Through his work, more and more people can actively participate in realizing the vision of Surabaya to become a futuristic city. I look forward to discussing the development of Surabaya with our partners in East Java, and looking for ways to continue to support their efforts,” concluded Owen. (VOI)