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Ambassador Jermey during the launch of a bamboo internet tower in Sumba (British Embassy doc) -

Voinews, Jakarta - British Ambassador to Indonesia Dominic Jermey visited Sumba Island, East Nusa Tenggara on 30 January – 1 February 2024. During his visit, the Ambassador launched the first Bamboo Internet Tower in Sumba Barat Daya, serving approximately 400 people from surrounding villages, addressing digital connectivity challenges as well as supporting economic empowerment in rural and remote areas.

This community-owned internet tower was built through a partnership between the UK’s Digital Access Programme (DAP), local NGO Common Room, and Don Bosco Training Centre. The Digital Access Programme catalyses inclusive, affordable, safe, and secure digital access for excluded or underserved populations in Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Brazil and Indonesia.

The DAP uses increased digital inclusion as a basis for more thriving digital ecosystems that stimulate innovations for local development challenges and the creation of local skilled jobs. In Indonesia, the Digital Access Programme has directly benefitted 68,000 people with improved digital connectivity, skills, literacy, and services.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Thursday (01/02/24), since 2020, the UK has spent £2m through local implementing partners across 18 provinces in Indonesia. Ambassador Jermey also had the opportunity to visit the solar power plant in Mata Redi and MataWoga villages, which is part of the UK-Indonesia just energy transition partnership MENTARI programme (Towards Indonesia’s Low Carbon Energy Transition). 

The 95 kWp solar power plant which was completed in 2022, supplies electricity to 243 houses, 14 public facilities such as schools, health centers, offices and for street lighting twenty-four hours a day.

“I am very pleased to visit this beautiful island of Sumba and witness how the UK-Indonesia partnership in digital access and just energy transition through the MENTARI programme, have made significant impact on the local communities. As we celebrate UK-Indonesia's 75 th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year, our MENTARI programme and the building of the Bamboo Internet Tower in Sumba is another strong example of the UK’s commitment to deepen our partnership with Indonesia to support remote communities and reduce poverty. The first bamboo internet tower built through the UK’s Digital Access Programme, demonstrates our serious commitment to work with Indonesia in enhancing digital inclusion and literacy for rural development. The UK’s flagship MENTARI programme has also been successful by involving communities, especially women and the younger generation, to make a positive contribution to their villages, and to realise their economic potential, and climate resilience through renewable energy", Ambassador Jermey said. 

Meanwhile the Director of Geothermal, Directorate General of New and Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Harris Yahya said that the Ministr is pleased to collaborate with British Embassy Jakarta through the MENTARI programme to develop renewable energy-based electricity for people in Mata Redi and Mata Woga.

“MEMR is pleased to collaborate with British Embassy Jakarta through the MENTARI programme to develop renewable energy-based electricity for people in Mata Redi and Mata Woga. The holistic approach used in the programme allows us to have an optimum solar PV system operability and ensure its benefits for villagers. MENTARI project in Sumba have successfully empowered them to use the power efficiently and productively, which leads to an improvement in their livelihoods and creating a more inclusive community” He said. 

The warm welcome was not only come from the Ministry but also from the Acting Regent of Central Sumba Dr Lery Rupidara who stated that development in the local economy is more inclusive in the community as the result of trainings provided by MENTARI.

"I am pleased to welcome British Ambassador, Mr. Dominic Jermey on his first visit to Sumba. It has now been more than one year that the community enjoy the benefits of having electricity access in Mata Redi and Mata Woga. I am very happy to see the development in the local economy and a more inclusive community as the result of trainings provided by MENTARI. Sumba has lots of potential to be explored and we're happy that Sumba can take part in the global action to tackle climate change by maximising it's renewable energy potential", He added//VOI 

VOInews, Jakarta: Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said Indonesia hopes that the Comprehensive Partnership Action Plan for 2024-2025 between Indonesia and the Netherlands can be implemented well. She conveyed this when meeting Dutch Foreign Minister Hanke Bruins Slot in The Hague, Netherlands, Wednesday (31/1/2024).

"I reemphasize several priorities for bilateral cooperation, including energy transition, digital industry, and also the return of Indonesian historical items," She said in a statement received by Indonesia Window here.

Foreign Minister Retno also emphasized the importance of the two countries to continue working together in strengthening sustainable palm oil production.

"As is known, 14 percent of Indonesia's total exports to the Netherlands are palm oil," she said.

Meanwhile, on the same occasion, Dutch Foreign Minister Hanke Bruins Slot conveyed the Dutch commitment to cooperate in the context of the development of the new capital. Especially related to water and sustainable cities.

"The Netherlands also expressed full support for Indonesia's application to become a member of the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development)," he said.

Meanwhile, regarding the planned meeting of ASEAN and EU Foreign Ministers, Retno highlighted the progress of the discussion of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CEPA) between Indonesia and the European Union.

"I emphasize that the principle of mutual benefit is the guideline in the negotiations. This spirit needs to be maintained in finalizing the negotiations," she said.

Since 2016, Indonesia and the European Union have conducted 16 rounds of negotiations and the 17th round of negotiations will be held in February 2024 in Indonesia. Foreign Minister Retno hopes that the negotiations will be finalized in the near future.

"I reiterated several EU policies that are considered detrimental to Indonesia, including those related to palm oil and EUDR (EU Regulation on Deforestation). I also emphasized that the commitment to downstream industry will continue to be carried out by Indonesia. I hope the Netherlands will continue to provide support for the Indonesia-EU CEPA negotiations," she said.

In a bilateral meeting with the Dutch Foreign Minister, the Indonesian Foreign Minister also discussed the Palestinian issue. According to Retno Marsudi, Indonesia regrets the actions of countries, including the Netherlands, which stopped aid to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA).

Retno Marsudi also encouraged the importance of a comprehensive, credible, and transparent investigation immediately, so that all allegations of the involvement of a number of UNRWA personnel in the October 7 attack gain clarity.

"Freezing financial support to UNRWA will greatly worsen the humanitarian situation which is already very bad," she said.

The meeting between the two Foreign Ministers was the third since September 2023. According to Retno, the Netherlands is the first largest trading partner from Europe and also the first largest investment partner in Europe for Indonesia, including in tourism.