VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Indonesian Embassy in Khartoum held a Business Gathering with 15 leading Sudanese tourism entrepreneurs and travel agencies at the Wisma Duta of the Indonesian Embassy in Khartoum, Sudan Tuesday (30/8).  Indonesian Ambassador to Sudan, Sunarko in his remarks explained that the Indonesian Government has now reopened wide international tourist visits after the Covid-19 pandemic. This is an effort by the Indonesian government to particularly recover the economy. 2022 is a year of economic recovery, including the tourism sector. The Business Gathering activity began with the screening of a video about the 10-New Bali along with an explanation of each destination by Ambassador Sunarko.

Besides promoting the beauty and tourism destinations of Indonesia, the Indonesian Embassy in Khartoum also promoted Indonesian batik clothing, which has received international recognition as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage. Even in 2022, Forbes named Indonesia as the World Most Naturally Beautiful Country. Ambassador Sunarko also conveyed that Indonesia as a destination for global tourism has introduced world-class tourism destinations other than Bali, namely the 10-New Bali across Indonesian islands.

Moreover, Indonesia has prepared five super priority tourism destinations, namely Lake Toba, Borobudur, Labuan Bajo, Mandalika, and Likupang. Ambassador Sunarko further encouraged Sudanese travel agents and tour operators to promote the five super priority Indonesian destinations to the local community, considering that Bali is still a favorite destination for the Sudanese people.

Meanwhile, General Manager of Wasaed Travel, Mohamed Ja'far representing the invitees, expressed his appreciation to the Indonesian Embassy in Khartoum for organizing the business gathering, and it is committed to continuously promoting all of Indonesia's best tourism destinations to the Sudanese people. At the end of his remarks, the Ambassador invited all participants to take part in the international tourism exhibition, Bali and Beyond Travel Fair, which will be held from 21 to 23 June 2023. Tourism business actors and the General Manager of the Sudanese travel agency were very enthusiastic and interested in participating. Bali and Beyond Travel Fair will be held in Bali, and ask the Indonesian Embassy in Khartoum to be able to connect them with trusted travel agencies in Indonesia.

Heavy rains that caused floods have submerged a third of Pakistan. At least 22 million people or about 10 percent of the country's population are estimated to be affected by the floods. The United Nations Satellite Center Map (UNOSAT) illustrates that cumulative water detected by satellites in Pakistan on August 1-29 shows a total of about 75,000 km2 of land affected by flooding.

According to Pakistan's National Disaster Mitigation Authority, nearly 1,200 people have died from flooding since mid-June. While more than a million homes were destroyed or damaged since high-intensity rains triggered flash floods across almost the entire country. The catastrophic floods have destroyed some infrastructure, including roads, bridges and farmlands, and also washed away nearly a million animals.

The magnitude of the impact caused by floods in Pakistan has received the attention of United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres. In a video message, he urged the international community to help Pakistan. He also called for the world's citizens to stop sleepwalking towards the destruction of the planet inhabited by humanity due to climate change. He said that at this time, a disaster befell Pakistan, but the next time a disaster could befall other countries.

The United Nations has disbursed aid worth US$ 160 million and  asked its members to help Pakistan meet the basic needs of the 5.2 million people displaced by this disaster, including the 33 million Pakistanis who were affected.

Pakistan's Minister of Climate Change, Sherry Rehman described the situation in Pakistan as a humanitarian disaster caused by climate. Pakistan produces less than 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions but ranks in the top 10 countries most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. This year, Pakistan has almost 200 percent more rain than the average monsoon. According to Sherry Rehman, many factors cause flooding, but the warming of the atmosphere caused by climate change makes extreme rainfall more likely. The world has warmed by around 1.2 degrees Celsius since the industrial era began and temperatures will continue to rise unless governments around the world make sharp cuts to carbon emissions.

The United Nations plans to hold a Climate Change Conference (COP27) or the 27th meeting of the parties concerned in Sharm El Sheikh, Egyptin November. This meeting is expected to be a place to discipline the world's citizens in avoiding and protecting the planet where humanity lives from natural disasters.

The Indonesian Consulate General in Guangzhou in collaboration with the Indonesian Embassy in Beijing conducted a series of visits and investment promotion activities in Liuzhou City late August, 2022. The delegation consisted of Indonesian Ambassador to China in Beijing, Djauhari Oratmangun, and the Consul General in  Guangzhou, Ben Perkasa Drajat.  There were also the  Economic and Investment Team from the Indonesian Embassy in Beijing and the Economic and Immigration Team from the Indonesian Consulate General in Guangzhou. The delegation was led by Ambassador Djauhari Oratmangun.

As quoted on the kemlu.go.id page (26/8), Consul General, Ben Perkasa Drajat revealed that  the delegation had met  relevant parties both from the government and potential investors directly. He also said that Liuzhou, as an industrial city, but  still able to maintain the greening of the environment, is one of the things that can be learned and implemented in Indonesia.

On the visit, the Indonesian delegation also  met Mayor of Liuzhou, Zhang Zhuang, Director General of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Guangxi Zhuang Special Autonomous Region, the Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of the International Trade (CCPIT) Liuzhou, and companies that have invested in Indonesia as well as prospective investors.

The meeting was aimed at discussing further investment plans owned by several companies, as well as promoting various investment opportunities in Special Economic Zones (SEZs), across Indonesian regions. The delegation also   used the opportunity to   learn about Liuzhou's success as an industrial city that manages to be  at the forefront of environmental and cultural preservation.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Djauhari Oratmangun when meeting Mayor Zhang Zhuang stated that there is a balance among economic growth, environment and culture in Liuzhou,  where the manufacturing industry is global but the environment remains green.

Liuzhou is the number one industrial city in Guangxi. The city excels in manufacturing, high technology, import-export and creative industries. Interestingly, of the four million inhabitants in Liuzhou, 35 percent have used electric vehicles.

In commemorating the 77th Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia this year, the Indonesian Embassy in Moscow held a fashion show that presented a talented young Indonesian designer, Adrie Basuki. He was the first winner of the Fashion Designer Competition – Jakarta Fashion Week 2022 in Moscow, Russia on August 18, 2022.

In his first performance abroad, Adrie Basuki also introduced his collaborative work with the legendary Indonesian shoe brand, Buccheri.

The fashion show entitled Independence Fashion Show "Sustainable Fashion, Empowering Women" featuring 22 ready-to-wear collections from Adrie Basuki presented by professional models from Russia. This activity was held by carrying the concept of an outdoor show at the Indonesian Embassy in Moscow. This park is a historic park that was once the location for the celebration of the birthday of the first President of the Republic of Indonesia, Mr. Ir. Soekarno in 1960, which was also attended by the then Prime Minister of Russia, Nikita Kruschev.

Adrie Basuki is a new talent in Indonesian fashion who has the characteristic of combining traditional Indonesian wastra fabrics with various elements and modern touches that are in line with current trends, carrying the DNA brand "proud of Indonesian Fabric, Sustainable Process and Empowering Women".

Adrie Basuki said that the collection presented for the show in Moscow was specially prepared for approximately 3 months by exploring 4 types of Indonesian woven fabrics, namely: Baduy, Lurik, Jepara and Makassar weave.

The fashion show received a standing ovation from 152 invited fashion lovers. The guests who attended were members of the International Women's Club Moscow (IWC), a leading social organization for expatriates in Moscow, Ambassadors, Ambassador's wives and female diplomats from friendly countries, journalists and fashion-loving Russian Friends of Indonesia.

The Independence Fashion Show "Sustainable Fashion, Empowering Women" was also followed by a special charity bazaar initiated by IWC in collaboration with Dharma Wanita Persatuan of the Indonesian Embassy in Moscow. All profits generated from the charity bazaar will be donated to a number of IWC social organization partners in need in Russia.