VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un arrived back in Pyongyang via his private train to a cheering crowd on Tuesday night after his highly publicized Russia trip, state media KCNA reported on Wednesday.

Kim was greeted by senior officials and an honor guard at a train station, according to the report which described his trip as a significant step in strengthening North Korea-Russia relations.

His trip and the summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin received global attention since the leader seldom leaves his country and drew concerns over possible arms trade and technology transfer with Russia.

Against that backdrop, South Korea on Tuesday summoned Russia's ambassador towarnMoscow against any military cooperation with North Korea.

Seoul and Washington have said military cooperation between North Korea and Russia would violate U.N. Security Council resolutions and urged against it.

Last week, the head of the reclusive state during his lengthy trip visited a Russian fighter jet factory under Western sanctions and praised the country's aviation technology.

He also met Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, who showed the North Korean leader Russian nuclear-capable strategic bombers, hypersonic missiles and warships. (Reuters)

VOInews, Jakarta: Yogyakarta's Axis Site is famous for its rich blend of tangible and intangible cultural elements, including Keris, Batik, Wayang, and Gamelan, all of which have been recognized by UNESCO and listed on the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultures.

Abdul Aziz Ahmad, Indonesian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia and Chair of the Indonesian Delegation to the WHC-45 Session, during the 45th UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (18/9/2023) expressed his appreciation to the 21 member countries of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee for accepting and approving Axis Yogyakarta's nomination for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

"This site is also a clear evidence of the center of Javanese civilization and cultural heritage that has lived and developed since the 16th century through various traditions and cultural practices ranging from government, customary law, art, literature, festivals, to ceremonial rituals," Abdul Aziz Ahmad said in an official statement received on Wednesday (20/9/2023).

With the designation of Yogyakarta Axis Site as World Heritage, Indonesia now has ten sites recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage. These include Borobudur, Prambanan, Sangiran Ancient Heritage Site, Subak Bali, Ombilin Coal Mine, and Axis Yogyakarta, Komodo National Park, Lorentz National Park, Sumatra Tropical Rainforest, and Ujung Kulon National Park. (VOI/Ranov)

VOInews, Jakarta: Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said the situation of women in Afghanistan is very worrying. Afghan women still experience restrictions on their right to education and involvement in international forums.

"They continue to experience restrictions due to policies from the Taliban. 80% of school-age girls cannot go to school. Women are also prohibited from working for the UN and international NGOs. This situation will certainly complicate the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan which usually involves women," Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said while attending the High-level Side Event: Global Solidarity with Afghan Women and Girls, co-hosted by the Irish and Canadian Foreign Ministers and the Women's Forum on Afghanistan, on Tuesday, as quoted from an official statement received by Indonesia Window here on Wednesday (20/9/2023).

To encourage global solidarity for Afghan women, Indonesia contributes by providing educational scholarships for Afghan women.

"So we have provided scholarships, we provide training to Afghan women. Last year, we together with Qatar organized the International Conference on Afghan Women Education (ICAWE) in Bali and this year in November we will again organize the event," the Foreign Minister said.

The Foreign Minister added that the situation of women in Afghanistan is very worrying and UNDP data estimates that restrictions on access to employment for women cause Afghanistan to lose 1 billion USD from its GDP or around 7%.

"Afghanistan is also facing a polio endemic which will also put an additional burden on women," she added. (VOI/Ranov)

VOInews, Jakarta:  Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said that the situation of women and girls in Afghanistan is very worrying. So, she said that the latest political situation should not hinder solidarity to create peace and prosperity in the country.

"Politics should not hinder our solidarity to create peace and prosperity in Afghanistan. Because above politics, there is humanity," Retno said at the High-Level Event on Global Solidarity with Afghan Women and Girls at UN Headquarters in New York, United States, Tuesday (19/9/2023) as quoted from an official statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs received by Voice of  here on Wednesday (20/9/2023).

Retno said that all participants were at this meeting to show solidarity for Afghan women and girls. According to her, solidarity means empathy and real support.

"Are we going to let politics prevent us from helping Afghanistan? Or will we lend a helping hand, regardless of the political conditions?" she asked.

In this case, Retno added, Indonesia contributes to Afghanistan in several programs. For example, Indonesia has sent 10 million doses of polio vaccine to Afghanistan in cooperation with UNICEF.

Indonesia, she added, also tries to share experiences with Afghan scholars. As the world's largest Muslim country, Indonesia shares experiences on the importance of education for women. One of them is through the cleric visit program to Afghanistan organized by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

Retno also said that Indonesia and Qatar organized the International Conference on Afghan Women and Girls (ICAWE) in Bali. The conference was held for the first time last year, and the second one is planned to be held in November this year. She invited the meeting participants to attend this conference.

The high-level meeting was a side event of the UN General Assembly session in New York. The meeting was organized by Indonesia together with Ireland, Canada and the Women's Forum. (VOI/Rama)