VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOINews.id, Jakarta: CEO of Special Olympics, Mary Davis said that the Asia-Pacific region is important for the development of the intellectually-disabled olympics. According to her, the region is full of "large countries", one of which is Indonesia.

“Yeah, this region (Asia-Pacific) is critical to the whole development of Special Olympics globally. It's got some of the largest countries in the world. If you look towards India, or Bangladesh, or Indonesia, Australia... so (does) large programs and some great programs as well," said Mary in a special interview with RRI Voice of Indonesia amid the 2023 Regional Leadership Conference (RLC) 2023 of Special Olympics Asia-Pacific in Jakarta, Saturday (04/11/2023).

With so many large countries in the Asia-Pacific, Mary mentioned the need for a Special Olympics program and strong leaders. He believes that strong programs and leaders from Asia-Pacific can be role models for other countries, especially smaller countries.

“So in terms of the expansion of the Special Olympics globally, it's really important that we have strong programs and strong leaders, in each of those countries, because they then can be role models for other countries, maybe smaller countries, in terms of developing and growing their programs," she continued.

Mary also said that this conference was the first to be held after the Covid-19 pandemic. Hence, she hopes that RLC 2023 can restore the strength of the parties involved and make the Special Olympics stronger.

"This region (Asia-Pacific), in particular, has suffered more and lost more coaches, volunteers, and athletes (during the Covid-19 pandemic). So, today's conference in Indonesia is about how we can grow back (the strength of coaches, volunteers, and athletes) better, bigger, and stronger," she added.

The 2023 RLC, which was attended by representatives of Special Olympics athletes, volunteers, and coaches throughout the Asia-Pacific, was held from Friday (03/11/2023) to Sunday (05/11/2023). The agenda included the delivery of strategic plans, presentations, and self-development for each participant in various sessions. Apart from that, there was also a cultural evening presented by Special Olympics Indonesia with the assistance of the Indonesian Ministry of Youth and Sports.

VOInews, Bandung: Malaysian Ambassador to ASEAN Dato' Nur Izzah Wong Me Coo said that every member country of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is making efforts to promote tourism as a supporting factor for their economy. According to her, this will provide benefits not only to each country but also to other countries in the region.

"Malaysia has always believed that if we are all prosperous then the entire region will be prosperous and each will benefit from it," she said at the Diplomatic Forum hosted by RRI Voice of Indonesia in Bandung, West Java, Thursday (2/11/2023).

He added that ASEAN as a unit in a region, is unique in terms of tourism compared to other regions. Moreover, ASEAN also has a lot to offer both as an individual country and as a unit.

"We certainly have challenges, but I believe that we can do more as a family," he said.

Meanwhile, the Director of ASEAN Socio-Cultural Cooperation at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Yuliana Bahar, said that in efforts to promote ASEAN tourism, emphasizing the importance of cross-sectoral coordination and collaboration, including coordination and collaboration across ASEAN pillars. Apart from that, according to him, a common understanding of the challenges and differences each ASEAN country has is also needed.

“We must strengthen cooperation between ASEAN and potential and relevant partners. "Without that, it will be difficult to make ASEAN a single tourism destination," he said.

This is also Indonesia's spirit in chairing ASEAN this year. According to Yuliana, Indonesia as the chair of ASEAN in 2023 encourages the realization of broader cooperation between ASEAN and all partners, including countries in the Indo-Pacific region. (Andy Romdoni)

VOINews, Bandung: The ASEAN vision as a single tourism destination encourages strong collaboration between ASEAN countries, says the Indonesian Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno. The vision also emphasizes the importance of cultural exchange between each country in the Southeast Asia region.

VOInews, Jakarta: Indonesian Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan emphasized the importance of resolving negotiations and World Trade Organization (WTO) issues at the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference next year. This was conveyed by Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan during a meeting with WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala in Osaka, Japan, on Saturday (28/10/2023).