VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

PHOTO : VOI/NUKE

Indonesian environment and forestry ministry held an ASEAN Coastal Clean-up 2019 at one of mangrove forest in the Northern part of Jakarta last Saturday (30/11). Twenty-six ambassadors from ASEAN member states and ASEAN partner countries attended the event. In her opening speech, Indonesian Environment and Forestry Minister, Siti Nurbaya, welcome all ambassadors and asked them to clean up the area along the mangrove forest. She also said that this event was part of Indonesia's commitment for the sustainability of the planet, particularly on the issues of coastal and marine areas as the legacy for future generations, so that they can still enjoy and live in harmony with nature. 

"Related to the reduction of marine pollution from land-based activities, Indonesia has made a commitment to reduce solid waste up to 70 percent by 2025. To achieve this commitment, in 2017, President Joko Widodo issued in a Presidential Decree regarding the National Policy and Strategy on Solid Waste Management. The Indonesian Government has also issued a Presidential Decree Number 38 of 2018 addressing strategic action plan on combating marine debris from 2018 – 2025. Indonesia has also launched a  National Action Plan to reduce plastic waste through various activities that must be carried out by all stakeholders in Indonesia. In line with this regulation, various stakeholders, including local government, businesses, communities, have taken initiatives and innovations in combattting marine litter" Minister Siti said. 

All ASEAN member states have already put the program in place but some are advance and some are not advance, so ASEAN working on it to make sure that waste management is part of the action plan. ASEAN focuses next year to recycle waste for energy as well as other purposes. ASEAN Secretary General, Dato Lim Jock Hoi said that Indonesia has many advance environmental programs. Indonesia and ASEAN are very aware about environment which is in line with SDG's. 

"There are a lot of environmental programs being implemented by Indonesian government not only program but also rules and regulations. There are so many rules that are enable Indonesian government to take action to reduce waste management, plastic and they even have  a center in Bali for marine plastic. I think Indonesia and ASEAN are very conscious about environment in line with SDG. So we are working very closely among ourself and among ASEAN member states and especially Indonesia. This year alone we have declaration on plastic debris and we have view centers now, one in Bali and the other one in Phuket. So we work closely in order to reduce environmental degradation in ASEAN. We know the impact on environment to our society, to our environment, so we believe this is a good inisiative and we should pursue it in the future" Asean Secretary General said. 

The Center will serve as a hub to strengthen capacity building in the field of protection of the marine environment from land-based activities, in particular nutrients, waste water and marine litter/microplastics. The center will seek to develop co-operation with relevant global and regional entities, other relevant international organizations, private sectors entities, and non-governmental organizations. Globally, people faced new challenges in marine environmental issues, such as increased in nutrients pollution, sewage and waste water pollution, and marine litter. Marine litter, especially plastics and microplastics pollution, has been a complex problem affecting ecosystems, social interactions, the economy, the health and the quality of life of the community. It has been estimated that around 80 % of marine pollution, including marine litter, come from land-based activities//NK/AHM/EDT

Biomass is a potential renewable resource to produce energy and bio-products in Indonesia. Through appropriate conversion technology,  biomass can be converted into bio-ethanol products that can replace gasoline. It was stated by Researcher  of Research Center for Biomaterials, Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), Euis Hermiati during the Inauguration of Research Professors at the LIPI Auditorium in Jakarta on Wednesday (4/11).

“The major challenges faced in the application  of biomass conversion technology to produce bioethanol and bio-products are readiness of technology  at the commercial and economic scale of the products produced. Therefore, the development of biomass conversion technology  to be  bioethanol and bio-products needs to be done continuously  in order to obtain technology that can produce economic products and it  can compete with commercial products from fossil / Synergy between research institutions / universities and related ministries and industries in research and development activities of biomass conversion that needs to be strengthened.” Euis said. 

Moreover, Euis Hermiati also explained that the technology also contributes to the effort of applying the concept of biological refineries to produce more economical bioethanol and bio-products as a substitute for refine fuel oil (BBM) and product from fossil. The successful development of the technology also supports the Indonesian government's efforts to meet the target of 23 percent use of renewable energy by 2025. (VOI/AF)

PHOTO : VOI-NUKE

Hannover Messe is a place where  industry 4.0 was established  and a home to industry pioneers, which has succeeded in being a forum for 500 world industrial markets in 2019. Every year, Hannover Messe chooses one country to become a partner country.  Indonesia has been chosen to be  a partner country in 2020. After attending a press conference at the JIExpo Kemayoran Commercial Building in Jakarta on Wednesday (4/11), Hannover Messe's Senior Vice President, Arno Reich explained the reasons why  Indonesia becomes a partner country in 2020.

“Well… the main reason is that we believe Indonesia has strong potential not only because most people in the world in this country, but we can see "Making Indonesia 4.0" that's a strong word, strong effort to be one of the top ten economic in the world and with growing industry, growing market that's a perfect fit for Hannover Messe as important industrial fair to have a growing market who's is willing to join new technology, who's willing to invest in market, who's willing to invest in people, which is very important for all the industry worldwide. And Indonesia that's why we think that makes it perfect as a partner country for Hannover Messe.” Arno said. 

Moreover, Arno Reich also explained that Hannover Messe is a forum for world industry and business contacts, which provides 6,000 companies that exhibit the latest technology and solutions to digitalize markets, logistics, and energy systems. Hannover Messe appreciated Indonesia that takes the opportunity to inform the industrial sector of what Indonesia has. (VOI/Nuke/AHM)

Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry held a reception agenda to celebrate the U.S.  10^th Peace Corps program in Jakarta on Wednesday (4/12). It was attended by Director of Peace Corps Program,  Jody Olsen. On the sidelines of the agenda, Jody Olsen to Voice of Indonesia hopes that besides education sector, she understands the other fields to cooperate with Indonesia, which has been done for 10 years.

“It's very important to continue the really strong English program and then second as we work with the working groups that have worked so hard we will discuss what other possibilities might be. Right now we are not sure but it might be agriculture, might be an economic development but what I'm excited about as Peace Corp expand here and the working group has expand we get to work with hand in glove and looking at what is the best way to go and so we should know very soon. The important message that I take back is that one of friendship, that one of being an extended family and message that the government is so strong in supporting the Peace Corps and so part of our messages we want to be so strong in support of the programs in Indonesia. And that we want to take back the gift of friendship understanding that you are here that I want more Americans to feel.” Jody said. 

Meanwhile, Director of America I of Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry, Zelda W. Kartika mentioned that the ministry will explore well the expansion of   Peace Corps program in a bid to improve human resources not only through English lesson, but also other fields in Indonesia. (NK-TRANS:AF)