VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

If coral reefs are the rainforests of the seas, then the Coral Triangle is the underwater equivalent of the Amazon.  In this region that’s half the size of the United States and passes through six countries (the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea Solomon Islands and Timor Leste), there are more marine species than anywhere else on the planet. 

Just as the Amazon is the symbol of the world’s rainforests – the so-called lungs of the earth – the Coral Triangle is developing iconic status as a marine treasure – the centre of the global marine diversity.

This where the Coral Triangle Day comes in.

Held every June 9, this is a celebration of the Coral Triangle. The event is celebrated in several locations around the Coral Triangle region through simultaneous activities such as beach clean-ups, mangrove planting, sustainable seafood dinners and exhibitions, bazaars, and beach parties, among others. (coraltriangleday.org)

Indonesia supports the G20 in improving the global economy and trade digitalization. This was stated by Minister of Trade Enggartiasto Lukita at the time
lead the Indonesian delegation at the Meeting of the Minister of Trade of the G20 Member States held on 8-9 June 2019 in Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan. 

"This Ministerial Meeting resulted in a major agreement regarding the importance of the role G20 in reducing global trade tensions and giving a positive signal to the world efforts through strong political incentives for improving WTO functions. This agreement is a response to global economic conditions that are declining due to tension "trade between the United States and China is happening now," explained the Trade Minister.

This agreement, continued the Minister of Trade, will be input for the G20 leaders on The G20 Summit is scheduled to take place on 28-29 June 2019 in Osaka,
Japan. In addition, there are three main messages from the Japanese Presidency in this year's G20 Forum, namely first, the need for cooperation between G20 member countries in the trade and investment sectors achieve the goals of global economic growth. Trade and invest ment is a machine the main driver of growth, productivity, innovation, and the provision of employment.

Second, updating rules for regulating subsidies in the industrial sector; and third, the importance of giving direction of the WTO reform issue.  

According to the Minister of Trade, Indonesia views the WTO reform as an important thing to restore the multilateral trading system and restore WTO credibility. "The main thing that becomes the focus and priority now is the dispute settlement mechanism (Dispute Settlement) Mechanism) and selection of members of the Appellate Body. Improved functions negotiations must also focus on unresolved issues in the Doha round such as
agriculture, fisheries, and special and differential treatment, " he said. 

At this G20 Summit, the issue of digital commerce was discussed for the first time. Member States G20 views digital transformation as having an important role in generating opportunities as well challenges for current trade. In this discussion, the Minister of Trade conveyed that Indonesia continued to prioritize its importance to continue to respect the rules and regulations that apply in a country, especially related movement of trade data and information, in supporting growth and economic development.

"Storage and security of strategic data in the country is the main thing. Besides, us also need to pay special attention to those who are economically vulnerable, including small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), so that digital commerce can be utilized for "realize inclusive national economic growth and development," concluded the Trade Minister.

Overview of the G20 

G20 or Group 20 Main Economy was established in 1999. G20 members consist of 19 countries and the European Union. G20 represents 85 percent of world income, 75 percent of world trade, 80 percent of global investment sources, and 66 percent of the world's population Initially the G20 was formed to discuss global economic cooperation as a settlement forum problems (such as economic crises) and agendas to help global growth. But when this, discussion of the G20 issue has increasingly developed into non-financial issues that have an impact on  financial issues such as fiscal, monetary and financial.
The G20 is the main forum for international economic cooperation which continues to strengthen sustainable economic growth. The focus is not only on macroeconomics, but also on issues that affect the global economy such as trade, infrastructure and investment, energy, employment, eradicating corruption, development, agriculture, technology, innovation, and digital economy. (kemendag)

Minister of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia Enggartiasto Lukita addresses three trade issues when meeting Minister of Trade, Tourism and Australian Investment Simon Birmingham on the sidelines of the G20 Ministerial Meeting on Trade and Digital Economy activities at
Tsukuba, Japan, Saturday (6/8). 

"Today we discuss three important issues, namely the development of Indonesian ratification − Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA), Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP), and WTO reform, "said the Minister of Trade.

At the meeting, the Minister of Trade explained three issues discussed, namely development ratification of Indonesia − Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA), Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP), and WTO reform. First, the two countries agreed on IA-CEPA entering the ratification process after signed. To meet the needs of the business community, Indonesia and Australia will accelerate the process so that it can be officially utilized by all parties.

"We agreed to accelerate the completion of the IA-CEPA ratification process so that cooperation Indonesia-Australia trade and investment can be immediately implemented, "continued the Minister of Trade. 

Secondly, Indonesia as the country coordinator requested Australia's support to be more flexible
in imposing trade rates on RCEP member countries that do not yet have an agreement trade with Australia.

"We ask Australia not to impose excessive trade rates on the state RCEP members who do not have a trade agreement with Australia, "said the Trade Minister.
The Minister of Trade also added that Indonesia encouraged all member countries to act realistic and willing to agree on steps to achieve settlement of negotiations substantial at the end of this year. 

Third, Indonesia supports WTO reforms. According to the Minister of Trade, there needs to be a difference clear between processes and substance in WTO reform. This was also conveyed to the APEC 2019 Minister of Trade meeting in Chile a few months ago. The current focus and reform priority of the WTO is on the selection of Appellate Body members. WTO reforms are expected to be able to effectively restore the WTO's functions
the multilateral trading system, as well as the credibility of the WTO in the eyes of the world.

Bilateral meeting with China

In addition to meeting with Australia, the Minister of Trade also held bilateral meetings with China's Deputy Minister of Commerce, Wang Shouwen. On this occasion, Indonesia requesting direct delivery of wallet bird products and Indonesian agricultural products to the market China which is still widely exported through Viet Nam. The Chinese Vice Minister of Trade welcomed both Indonesian requests and will coordinate with relevant parties for
follow up on this.

"China welcomed the demand for wallet nest products and agricultural products "Indonesia can directly enter the Chinese market without going through other countries," said the Trade Minister. (kemendag) 

The three Indonesian players made it to the final of the Australia Open 2019 Super 300. The first player to qualify was a mixed double Praveen Jordan / Melati Daeva Oktavianti, followed by two men's singles, Anthony Sinisuka Ginting and Jonatan Christie.

Praveen Jordan / Melati Daeva Oktavianti made a surprise by defeating second seeded Japanese, Yuta Watanabe / Arisa Higashino, with a score of 21-13, 12-21, 21-17. Even though Watanabe / Higashino is more favored, Praveen / Melati has never been subdued in the hands of the 2018 All England Champion. In the 2018 Malaysia Masters, Praveen / Melati also won two straight games, 25-23, 21-16.

"We've met them before, they played a lot of long drives, so we avoid playing like this because this is their superiority. We try a lot to beat opponents from the front game, so we get plenty of opportunities to attack," Melati told Badmintonindonesia .org.

"Most importantly, the key is to trust partners and keep on communicating in the field. We also know where their weaknesses are, so we continue to search there and this makes us able to defeat them today," Melati added.

Praveen / Melati will meet first seed in the final round, namely Wang Yilyu / Huang Dongping from China.

"In the final round, surely the opponents who face more than the semifinals. Wang / Huang plays neatly, they are strong and rarely make their own mistakes. The important thing is from our appearance, playing as much as possible and all out, we have met them several times. We will try to enjoy the game, "said Melati.

Indonesia has secured one title in the men's singles. Anthony first advanced to the top game after winning a straight game over Wang Tzu Wei (Taiwan), with a score of 21-17, 21-14. Jonatan ensured that the men's singles title fell into Indonesian hands after stopping Chou Tien Chen (Taiwan) resistance, after fighting three games with a score of 22-20, 13-21, 21-16. This victory at the same time avenged his defeat of Chou in the 2019 Sudirman Cup. (badminton Indonesia)