VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOINews, Jakarta - Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said Indonesia wants to reaffirm ASEAN's role as a contributor to peace and stability during the 56th ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting (AMM), which is set to be held in Jakarta on 10-14 July 2023.

"Economic growth in Southeast Asia is almost always above global growth. This growth and prosperity can only be achieved if there is peace and stability, and ASEAN has managed to realize it so far," Retno said when reviewing the AMM 2023 media center in Jakarta on Monday.

This year's meeting theme "ASEAN Matters: Epicenter of Growth" will focus on directing cooperation to strengthen ASEAN's relevance in responding to regional and global challenges, and strengthening ASEAN's position as the center of economic growth in the region.

The AMM series will be followed by 18 other meetings of ASEAN foreign ministers with dialogue partner countries. Including to discussion of the Southeast Asian Nuclear Weapons Free Zone (SEANWFZ), a meeting with the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), AMM in plenary format, and a review session (retreat).

Then, ASEAN foreign ministers will meet with dialogue partner countries namely India, New Zealand, Russia, Australia, China, Japan, South Korea, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States, as well as ASEAN Plus Three (APT), the East Asia Summit (EAS) foreign ministerial meeting, and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).

AMM will be attended by at least 1,165 delegates and 493 journalists from all over the world. (VOI)

VOINews, Jakarta - The Indonesian government has prepared several facilities for media covering the 56th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM), which is being held in Jakarta from July 10 to 14, 2023.

As the host, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has provided a media center that can accommodate 555 persons on the first and third floors of the Wisma 46-Kota BNI building, Jakarta.

"It consists of a work area for the media, a dining area, and an international broadcast center that will be used by TVRI (public television broadcaster), RRI (public radio station), and ANTARA (national news agency)," director of information and media at the ministry, Hartyo Harkomoyo, said here on Monday.

The international broadcast center will supply photos and live broadcasts of open events, such as delegates' arrivals and opening speeches.

In addition, a press conference room with a capacity of 100 people has also been prepared at Shangri-La Hotel, the venue for the 2023 AMM.

The organizer has also provided a special area for conducting live reports and a doorstop interview area on the first floor and second floor of the Shangri-La Hotel's lobby.

Furthermore, it has provided WiFi with a bandwidth of 450 kbps.

"Thus, we hope the media will not face internet (connection) issues. However, if hurdles are still found, please immediately report to our help desk," he said.

The series of 2023 AMM events comprises 18 meetings, including a meeting to discuss the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ), a meeting of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), an AMM plenary session, and a retreat session.

Furthermore, the agenda includes ASEAN foreign ministers' meetings with ASEAN dialogue partners, namely India, New Zealand, Russia, Australia, China, Japan, South Korea, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States.

It also includes the ASEAN Plus Three (APT) Foreign Ministers' Meeting, the East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers' Meeting, and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).

Those series of events will involve at least 1,165 delegates and 493 Indonesian and foreign reporters. (Antaranews)

VOInews, Jakarta The Batam City Government, Riau Islands, said that Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) products typical of Batam City are ready to penetrate the trade market in the ASEAN region.

Head of the Batam City Cooperative and Micro Business Office Hendri Arulan in Batam Sunday said a number of efforts were made to support MSME players to penetrate the ASEAN trade market, including coaching for business actors related to entrepreneurial strategies, branding, promotion of MSME products to present product packaging that attracts buyers.

Hendri explained that the coaching is not only given to MSME players who have been running their businesses for a long time, but also to novice MSME players. MSMEs that characterize Batam City include culinary, handicrafts and clothing businesses. (Antaranews)

VOINews, Jakarta - Youth Red Cross (PMR) participants from ASEAN countries expressed their pleasure and pride to be able to attend the National Level IX PMR Encounter (Jumbara) in Kalianda District, South Lampung Regency, Lampung Province.

One of the participants from Singapore, Sandra Ang, in Kalianda, Monday, said that she really appreciated the National Jumbara activities held in South Lampung.

"I am proud to be able to come to Indonesia, especially Lampung in participating in this national PMR Jumbara, the committee and the people are friendly," Sandra Ang said.

She said, in the Jumbara activity she really liked the cultural parade, where PMR participants from various provinces throughout Indonesia displayed their cultural diversity. "When participating in this PMR Jumbara activity, I am most happy when I see the cultural parade because I can see various tribes and cultures in Indonesia," she said.

She also said that the enthusiasm of South Lampung residents was very high for the activity, where during the cultural parade people were willing to wait on the shoulder of the road to see and take photos of the Jumbara participants.

"And the enthusiasm of the community is also very crowded, during the cultural parade many residents invited our photos, I am happy to be able to come to Lampung, the people are good," she said.

Furthermore, Adib Zainul Zaky, a participant from Brunei Darussalam, said she was impressed with the activities carried out in South Lampung.

"I learned a lot in the Jumbara activity, where I was not only taught about red cross activities, but about devotion to the environment such as planting mangrove trees," said Adib.

He said that the lesson he enjoyed the most and would never forget was during the mangrove planting activity at the Jumbara event.

"I was very impressed, there were many lessons learned. And this happened to be my first experience too," he said.

He also said that although he had difficulties in planting the mangrove plants, the activity was very important to make the younger generation aware of protecting and maintaining mangrove trees.

"Although we faced difficulties when planting, the activity made us realize the importance of mangroves for coastal resilience," he said.

The Jumbara held in South Lampung was attended by 34 provinces throughout Indonesia and 12 friendly countries.

The number of participants from friendly countries was 45 people from 12 countries namely America, Brunei Darussalam, China, Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Laos, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Timor Leste, and Italy. (Antaranews)