VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

President Joko Widodo emphasized the importance of providing livable houses for the community in line with the Global Habitat Day 2020 commemoration.

President Jokowi said in his virtual speech at the Global Habitat Day 2020 Commemoration event held in Surabaya, on Monday, that a proper home is the basic needs of all people around the world that will strengthen the family, as the main pillar of the nation's strength, and act as the first bulwark against various health risks including the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The government strives so that every citizen can occupy a livable house. Since 2015 the One Million Houses program has been implemented. The target of building one million housing units per year has been successfully exceeded in 2018 with a focus on low-income communities," President Jokowi said.

The global commemoration of World Habitat Day this year carries the theme "Housing for All: A Better Urban Future" which is considered by the President as a highly relevant theme for the whole world.

Until now the Indonesian government has also continued to develop financial innovations to increase access to housing for the community in the focus of this group, including the Public Housing Savings Law (Tapera) which guarantees the availability of a long-term and sustainable source of funds.

President Jokowi has paid serious attention to improving the quality of slum villages in several regions in Indonesia. The Village Improvement Program and the KOTAKU (Cities Without Slum) Program are implemented with an emphasis on collaboration between the government, local government, the private sector, and the community in providing basic services such as clean water and proper sanitation.

"The COVID-19 pandemic is also momentum for learning and reflection to design policies for planning and urban management that are inclusive and fair, increasing resilience in dealing with natural and non-natural disasters, including resilience against disease outbreaks," President Jokowi said.

President Jokowi hopes that delegates from all over the country can share ideas, exchange knowledge, expertise, and experiences, and establish cooperation and strengthen collaboration to increase the resilience of cities to face pandemics and other disasters.
He appreciated the city of Surabaya, which is believed to be the host for the Global Habitat Day 2020 Commemoration.

The President welcomed all delegates who attended the event which was held very limited and still adhered to strict health protocols.

"We met in the city of Surabaya to convince the world that the New Urban Agenda, the New Urban Agenda, in 2036 cannot be delayed anymore. Currently, 55 percent of the world's population lives in cities. In 2050 they estimate the number to increase to 68 percent. The highest increase occurred in Asia and Africa," President Jokowi said.

Indonesia is predicted to have a population of nearly 300 million in 2030, 63.4 percent of whom live in urban areas. For this reason, according to the President, urban arrangement and a new urban agenda are very important. (Antaranews)