VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Forestry and Environment Minister Siti Nurbaya Bakar (left) and the United States' Chief of Forest Service, Randy Moore, during the signing of a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to reduce the forestry sector's greenhouse gas emissions. The agreement was inked in Jakarta on Tuesday (January 23, 2024). (ANTARA/HO-Kementerian LHK) - 

Voinews, Jakarta - The governments of Indonesia and the United States have agreed to work together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions generated by the forestry sector by supporting Indonesia's Forestry and Other Land Uses (FOLU) Net Sink 2030 plan.

According to the Environment and Forestry (LHK) Ministry, the agreement was marked by the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between LHK Minister Siti Nurbaya Bakar and Forest Service Chief at the US Department of Agriculture, Randy Moore, in Jakarta on Tuesday.

"This memorandum of understanding marks an important milestone in the implementation of Indonesia's FOLU Net Sink 2030," Minister Bakar said after signing the document.

Through its FOLU Net Sink 2030 plan, Indonesia is aiming to ensure that the level of absorption of FOLU's greenhouse gas emissions is on par, or even higher, than the emissions generated by the year 2030.

To achieve that end, Indonesia is implementing four strategies, namely preventing deforestation, conserving forests, protecting and restoring peatlands, and increasing the level of carbon absorption.

According to Bakar, by implementing FOLU Net Sink 2030, Indonesia will emerge as a role model for realizing global climate commitments, while promoting sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

She then expressed optimism that long-term cooperation between Indonesia and the US would further strengthen several ongoing measures related to the management of multipurpose forests.

The minister said that the two countries can collaborate to ensure the sustainable management of forests, provide forest extension services, improve technical capabilities for dealing with forest and land fires, and strengthen law enforcement by supporting Indonesia's plan to establish a forest police academy.

"I believe that our partnership will be even stronger as it is based on measurable evidence, the principle of sovereignty, as well as mutual respect, trust, and benefits," the minister said.

Moore, meanwhile, noted that the MoU was the result of an earlier discussion between Bakar and the previous forest service chief in 2018.

He then expressed the hope that the MoU would further strengthen the foundation laid by the two countries, while noting that Indonesia is playing a vital role in the global fight against the adverse impacts of climate change//VOI

Karisma Nusantara Event flyer - 

Voinews, Jakarta - Indonesian Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno said that the implementation of Karisma Event Nusantara (KEN) has a significant positive impact on the sustainability of the regional and national economy. This was pointed out by Minister Sandiaga Uno at a special interview with RRI Voice of Indonesia, in Jakarta, Monday (22/ 1/). 

According to him, the implementation of KEN 2023 contributed to increasing the production of goods and services reaching 212 billion rupiah, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) which reached 200 billion Rupiah with a turnover value of 12.4 trillion Rupiah.

"The implementation of KEN in 2023  contributed to the value of Indonesia's production and services output of 212 billion rupiah and GDP (Gross Domestic Product) of almost 200 billion rupiah in which  the value of money turnover with 7.4 million visitors reached 12.4 trillion rupiah.", Minister Uno said. 

Moreover, Minister Sandiaga Uno further explained that the positive impact of holding KEN 2023  was also able to increase the turnover of 11,399 business actors involved in the event.  Based on the results of the face to face interview, Minister Sandiaga Uno stated that KEN 2023 succeeded in increasing turnover by 76.7 percent business actors up to more than 10 million rupiah.  

When compared to normal days, the additional turnover increases by 50 to 100 percent//VOI

The Indonesian youth and Japan Embassy staf in Indonesia pose after the ceremony -  

Voinews, Jakarta - Nine Indonesian youths from several Islamic organizations and institutions were invited by the Japanese government to participate in the JENESYS (Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths) Gelombang Peace Building program. 

They come from the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Muhammadiyah, Istiqlal Mosque and Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University.  According to Deputy Ambassador of Japan to Indonesia, Katsuro Nagai on Monday (22/1), the participants would have the opportunity to visit several interesting places related to Islamic culture and historical places in Japan.

"They have chance to visit one of the mosque and also Islamic culture center in Tokyo and also as I said that the highlight of their stay is homestay in Nagasaki", Katsuro Nagai said. 

Moreover, the participants are planned to take part in this program until January 30, 2024. Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths is an annual Japanese government program which aims to introduce Japanese society, culture and technological progress in all aspects.  

Deputy Ambassador of Japan to Indonesia also hopes that by participating at this program, the participants can also play an active role as a bridge in strengthening friendship between Japan and Indonesia//VOI

Book discussion during the launch - 

VOInews, Jakarta - Indonesian Diaspora Network (IDN) Global held a book review of Diaspora Bangga Berbangsa by Fenty Effendy, Saturday, in Jakarta. The book tells the story of the achievements of the Indonesian diaspora over the past decade and a number of issues of concern to the diaspora abroad.

One of the officers from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Ganewati Wuryandari, said that the Indonesian Diaspora had made various real efforts to contribute to building the nation. According to him, many Indonesian diaspora have contributed their energy, thoughts and even assets for the progress of the nation.

"This book also tells about the various efforts of IDN Global and its members in carrying out real activities, to participate and contribute their energy, thoughts and even assets for the progress of the nation. So I'm very proud. It's interesting, starting from the smart village program, until now "It has been said that there are more than seven thousand users of smart applications for village development," said Ganewati at the event which was held in a hybrid manner.

He also encouraged further publications regarding the efforts of the Indonesian diaspora in supporting national development. According to him, this effort can also be carried out by utilizing advances in technology and social media//VOI