VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan invited G20 member countries to participate in building a blue economy. At the same time building a green economy for the future of the world.

The blue economy is a water resource optimization plan that aims to increase economic growth. While the green economy is to improve human welfare and social equality, while reducing environmental risks.

"We invite all countries to build a blue economy prototype. And a green economy for the future of this earth," Luhut told reporters, Thursday (8/9/2022).

Furthermore, Luhut invited the role of G20 countries to discuss the G20 roadmap. Especially for developing countries in the forum.

"Over the next few days there will be many discussions regarding the G20 roadmap for the development of developing countries. Then the G20 principles in improving the finances of developing countries, as well as the vision of achieving sustainable development goals," he said.

The sustainability and future of the earth, according to Luhut, depend on the commitment and action of each country in protecting it. So, it takes consistent steps to make it happen.

Luhut said the Indonesian government had formed the Global Blended Finance Alliance as a forum to encourage accelerated investment. This is to face the challenge of managing finances for climate improvement and sustainable development targets.

"I appreciate the participation of G20 members in expressing their opinions in this initiative. I am also happy that India is committed to bringing this issue to the next G20 and Brazil the following year," he said.

These efforts, according to Luhut, can help increase effectiveness in providing innovation. As well as financial arrangements, especially for developing and least developed countries.

"Nowadays, knowledge and technology are also very much needed to meet sustainable development in the future," he said. "Strong cooperation and collaboration between each of the G20 member countries will enhance the achievement of our common targets." (RRI)

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) asked his staff to ensure the readiness of the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2023. Starting from infrastructure to equipment that is in accordance with FIFA standards.

This was conveyed by the Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora) Zainudin Amali. After attending the Limited Meeting (Ratas Implementation of the FIFA U-20 World Cup, at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Thursday (8/9/2022).

"The President has instructed the relevant ministers to immediately take steps to fulfill what FIFA wants. For example, repairing the grass, then repairing the lighting," Amali said.

As is known, Indonesia has been designated as the host of the FIFA U20 World Cup in 2021 ago. However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, FIFA postponed the event until 2023.

The Minister of Youth and Sports also mentioned that previously a number of stadiums and facilities were ready for the FIFA U-20 World Cup. However, due to delays and use for various match events, a number of improvements are needed.

“Like the Solo Manahan Stadium, which was already ready, but at that time we used it for the pre-season tournament. Twice, even pre-season tournaments, namely the Menpora Cup and the President's Cup," he said.

"Then for the 2021/2020 and 2022/2023 Liga seasons, and the last one is used for the ASEAN Para Games. So the condition still needs improvement," he said.

FIFA carried out an inspection last June and found that there were still a number of deficiencies that needed to be addressed. Such as the condition of infrastructure and equipment needs.

FIFA hopes that these deficiencies can be completed no later than October 2022. "Because we have a deadline, around October FIFA will see," said the Minister of Youth and Sports.

The Minister of Youth and Sports also stated that FIFA appreciated the commitment of the Indonesian government in preparing itself to host the FIFA U-20 World Cup. The government has also signed a number of guarantee letters related to the organization of this international football competition. (RRI)

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) of East Java welcomed the establishment of cooperation in the trade and tourism sectors with Pakistan.

Chairman of East Java Kadin Adik Dwi Putranto here on Thursday welcomed the cooperation offer and expressed optimism of the meeting being followed up.

"We hope that this connection would not only end here but will continue. There will be real cooperation that will be established that can spur economic performance between the two countries," he remarked.

Putranto's statement was conveyed after Pakistan's Ambassador to Indonesia, Timor Leste, and ASEAN Muhammad Hassan, accompanied by Minister of Trade and Investment of Pakistan, Fouzia Parveen, and First Secretary of the Pakistani Embassy to Indonesia, Masooma Bushara Ali, visited East Java Kadin in Surabaya on Wednesday, September 7, 2022.

Furthermore, he explained that East Java also had immense potentials for which collaboration, ranging from trade, tourism and investment, can be forged.

For the tourism sector, he noted that East Java has vast tourism potential, ranging from religious tourism, heritage tourism, to nature tourism.

"What we are pushing is Giliyang (island) Sumenep tourism that has the second-cleanest oxygen quality in the world. There are also several religious tourist attractions in East Java. There are five Waliyullah (saints) graves in Gresik, Surabaya, Tuban, and others. For heritage tourism, in East Java, there used to be the largest kingdom in Asia, namely the Majapahit kingdom," he expounded.

Meanwhile, for the agricultural sector, East Java has vast potential for both horticulture and food.

"Currently, Porang (Amorphophallus muelleri Blume) is one of East Java's mainstay commodities to replace wheat flour," he remarked.

Pakistan's Ambassador to Indonesia, Timor Leste, and ASEAN Muhammad Hassan earlier stated that Pakistan has special relations with East Java and Sulawesi. Hence, he said, Pakistan has shown major interest for East Java.

He noted that various areas of potential for which cooperation can be established, include the expansion of trade and tourism. He said that so far, the trade value between Pakistan and Indonesia has reached US$4.2 billion per year.

He noted that the potential could be developed even further on account of the vast Indonesian and Pakistani market. (Antaranews)

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) instructed his ranks to accelerate the completion of Indonesia's preparations to host the 2023 U-20 World Cup, especially to ensure the feasibility of stadiums to be used to meet FIFA standards.

The president made the statement at a limited cabinet meeting related to the development of preparations for the 2023 U-20 World Cup in the State Palace, Jakarta, Thursday, according to  Sports and Youth Minister Zainudin Amali.

"The president had urged us to immediately fulfill FIFA's requirements, such as repairing lighting and (tending to the) grass," Amali noted during a press statement after attending the meeting.

Based on Presidential Instruction Number 8 of 2020 on Support for the Implementation of the 2021 FIFA U-20 World Cup that was postponed to 2023, Bung Karno Main Stadium in Jakarta; Jakabaring Stadium in Palembang, South Sumatra; Si Jalak Harupat Stadium in Bandung, West Java; Manahan Stadium in Surakarta, Central Java; Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium in Surabaya, East Java; and Kapten I Wayan Dipta Stadium in Gianyar, Bali, have been prepared.

The six stadiums were, in fact, ready to be used if the U-20 World Cup continued as originally scheduled in 2021, Amali added.

However, since FIFA postponed the championship due to the COVID-19 pandemic, several stadiums had to be repaired again to meet FIFA's standards. This is especially since during the postponement period, some stadiums were used for various other competitions, so repairs were deemed necessary.

"For instance, the Manahan Stadium was ready, but during the postponement, it was used for two pre-season tournaments -- the Menpora Cup and the President's Cup -- and then also for the 2022-23 league season, and lastly, it was also used for the ASEAN Para Games," Amali remarked.

The minister noted that in October, the FIFA delegation will conduct a follow-up review of the six stadiums that were readied, so President Jokowi ordered the process to be completed before the deadline.

During the October review, FIFA will decide how many stadiums are suitable for hosting the 2023 U-20 World Cup, Amali stated.

"At the end of October, FIFA will conduct another inspection, but we are still adhering to the plan to use six stadiums," he remarked.

The 2023 U-20 World Cup is scheduled to take place on May 20-June 11 and will be attended by 24 participating countries, including Indonesia, as the host.

So far, nine other countries have qualified for the 2023 U-20 World Cup finals: the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Honduras, the United States, England, France, Israel, Italy, and Slovakia. (Antaranews)