VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Arrmanatha Nasir handed over a credential letter to the Secretary General of the United Nations -UN, Antonio Guterres in New York, the United States on Tuesday (4/1).  On the occasion, he emphasized that Indonesia is committed to continuously improving cooperation with the United Nations on many issues which become common interest.  The commitment was welcomed by Guterres.  Arrmanatha also expressed high appreciation for Indonesia's active role and leadership so far in strengthening multilateralism. Guterres at his meeting as mentioned by Arrmanatha in a written statement stated that Indonesia is an important partner of the UN and the UN will continue to enhance cooperation and pay attention to Indonesia.

Moreover, the Secretary-General also expressed his hope  that Indonesia can contribute  more in facing lots of  global and regional challenges. Some of the issues that became a concern at the meeting included climate change, post-pandemic economic recovery and the situation in the region. Guterres hoped that Indonesia as President of the G-20 can contribute in the efforts of building a more balanced global financial system for developing countries. Besides,  he also expressed his appreciation for Indonesia's commitments and steps in dealing with climate change,  including efforts to make energy transitions.

In response to the statement,  Ambassador Arrmanatha announced one of Indonesia's priorities as President of the G20 is to strengthen global collective leadership  through synergy with other countries,  forums and organizations outside the G-20, including developing countries.  This step is expected to contribute and encourage international financial institutions in order to listen more to the needs of developing countries in the global financial system.  He also emphasizes Indonesia's high commitment in making energy transitions and various steps in mitigating climate change.

Various innovations in the environmental field are carried out by students to create a better earth. One that continues to be developed at this time is the existence of electric vehicles that aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions because they do not need fossil fuels as the main driver. Answering this problem, Yogyakarta State University (UNY) students succeeded in innovating an electric bicycle, which was named ‘Inobike UNY’. This bike is able to reach up to 40 kilometres with a charge for approximately 2 hours.

At first glance, this electric bicycle is not different from bicycles in general. However, it is equipped with a pedal assisting feature in this e-bike can be pedaled and move faster. The battery-driven engine automatically goes to work to push the bike faster. So, it helps cyclists not to get tired quickly. In addition, on the bicycle handlebar, there is an LCD to adjust the speed with 5 speed levels. The bicycle designed by students of the Mechanical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, UNY has a lighter weight than an ordinary bicycle.

Inobike UNY is still used internally on campus. But in the future, it is possible that this e-bike will also be marketed. Head of the Mechanical Engineering Education Department of UNY, Apri Nuryanto said that there are several prices for this bicycle, starting from the standard type of Rp4.7 million, the premium type of Rp5.5 million and the electric bicycle type of Rp10.4 million. Apri added that this project is an increase in industrial competitiveness through innovations produced through research in collaboration with UNY to increase the nation's economic growth.

Kazakhstan, as one of oil-producing countries in Central Asia, is in turmoil after thousands of people in the country staged mass demonstration to protest on the streets. The AFP news agency reported that the protests in Kazakhstan came after a sharp increase in fuel prices. The protests turned into clashes with officers, even spread to other cities in Kazakhstan, and became public demonstrations and riots.

It was previously known that during three decades of independence, Kazakhstan was able to cultivate its image of political stability, thereby helping to attract hundreds of billions of dollars of foreign investment in the oil and metals industry.

On the protests in his country, Kazakh President, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in a speech on the local television believed that there are financially motivated conspirators behind the current wave of demonstrations. He also asked Kazakhs not to give in to provocations from within and outside the country. Tokayev also warned that attacking civilian and military facilities is an unlawful act, a crime that deserves being punished.

The United States and the United Nations, which are also monitoring the conflict in Kazakhstan, have called on all parties there to exercise restraint, following rising social tensions over the sharp rise in fuel prices. US State Department Spokesperson, Ned Price said that Washington condemns acts of violence and destruction of property and calls on authorities and protesters to exercise restraint. Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said the United Nations –UN was concerned about events in Kazakhstan.

The world community agrees with what the UN and the US have said. In addition, respecting and defending constitutional institutions, human rights and media freedom, including the restoration of internet services must also be a concern so that the crisis does not drag on to a downward spiral. All parties must try to find a peaceful solution to this emergency. They must refrain from violence and encourage dialogue.

The United Nations also seems to need to intervene immediately to help overcoming the chaos in Kazakhstan. This is to dismiss allegations of involvement of certain foreign groups in what is happening in the country.

2021 was a productive year for Indonesian diplomacy, which was carried out through the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Frankfurt, Germany. In the field of Economic Diplomacy, the Indonesian Consulate General in Frankfurt made various efforts to increase trade and investment between Indonesia and various partners in the working area of the Indonesian Consulate General in Frankfurt. Based on the latest data from the German Statistical Agency, the value of trade between Indonesia and the entire working area of the Indonesian Consulate General in Frankfurt from January to October 2021 reached 2.75 million Euros, an increase of 6.47 percent compared to the same period in 2020 on a year-on-year basis. Trade performance during 2021 showed the restoration of trade cooperation between Indonesia and 6 states in the working area of the Consulate General in Frankfurt. In 2020, the trade cooperation was relatively contracted as a result of the global economic crisis amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported on Monday (3/1) that in 2021, Indonesia still recorded a trade surplus, which reached 606.96 million Euros. Previously, Indonesia's trade value during the same period in 2020 experienced a negative contraction of 15.1 percent year-on-year, compared to 2019 or the period before the global economic crisis.

In the investment sector, based on the latest data published by the Ministry of Investment, Investment Coordinating Board of Indonesia, German Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) during the first quarter to the third quarter or January-September 2021 increased by 9.2 percent to 136.9 million Euros compared to the same period in 2020 (year-on-year). The number of projects through FDI during the same period also increased by 13.6 percent to 826 projects year-on-year.

While in the field of Socio-Cultural Diplomacy, throughout 2021, the Consulate General in Frankfurt continued to strive to improve the image of Indonesia in the working area through various activities. The challenges  faced were not easy due to the Covid-19 pandemic situation. Therefore, some policies have been implemented by the regional government in a  bid to mitigate the spread of the corona virus which has an impact on social restrictions. The Consulate General in Frankfurt expressed his gratitude for the support of all the people in the working area of the Consulate General in Frankfurt so that in that year, Indonesia was able to obtain an image value of 3.67 from target 4, with a good predicate.