VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOINews, Jakarta - Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi stated that women, who account for half the global population, are part of the world's agents of peace that offer effective solutions.

Marsudi made this statement at the United Nations (UN) Security Council Open Debate on Women and Peace and Security at the UN Headquarters in New York on Wednesday (October 25).

In the debate initiated by Brazil as President of the UN Security Council, Marsudi stated that more than 60 percent of the victims of violence in Gaza were women and children.

This shows today's reality where women are always victims in every violent conflict, according to a written statement from the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

"I must frankly say that although there have been global efforts for women's empowerment and equality, the reality is far from ideal," she remarked.

Marsudi highlighted that in several parts of the world, women are the first victims of every conflict. Hence, she urged all parties to pay greater attention to the women, peace, and security (WPS) agenda.

Hence, to this end, Indonesia also encourages strengthening the fundamental understanding of women's participation.

She explained that empowering and embracing women should not be seen as a burden, but rather, should be viewed as an investment and global standard.

"Women's empowerment and participation in the economic, social, and political sectors will strengthen community resilience and contribute to peace. I witnessed this myself, including through women's positive contribution to peacekeeping missions in the field," she stated.

Indonesia also encourages women's leadership in the peace process. Data has shown that women's participation increases the chances of peace agreements, Marsudi remarked.

"Therefore, we must invest more, including in the UN system, to ensure a safe and conducive environment for women, so that they can successfully play a role in global peace processes," she remarked. (Antaranews)

VOINews, Jakarta - PT MRT Jakarta, the operating company of the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) trains, has affirmed that its facilities would be secure in the run-up to the 2024 General Elections.

President director of the company Tuhiyat highlighted that the MRT had been registered as one of the government's national strategic projects (PSN).

"The (PSN) status brings plenty of consequences, including the need to ensure the security of the MRT as a national vital object," he remarked during the MRT Journalist Forum activity in Jakarta on Wednesday (October 25).

Tuhiyat noted that the government had designated the development projects of MRT in Jakarta as a national vital object.

Hence, he said that the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) and the National Police (Polri) directly participate in the efforts to maintain security of the facilities, in accordance with Presidential Decree No. 63 of 2004 concerning the security of national vital objects.

Security measures are meant to be taken comprehensively, thereby in the event of mass demonstration, for instance, security personnel will prevent any protesters from getting too close to the facilities of MRT, he explained.

"As a PSN, we are constantly protected. Therefore, God Willing, we will be able to take preventive steps," he remarked.

He then expressed hope that the upcoming general elections would run smoothly without any security problems.

The Directorate General of Railways at the Ministry of Transportation designated MRT Jakarta, along with its supporting facilities, as a national vital object in the railways sector by issuing a decision on February 10 this year.

As a result, measures for securing all facilities of the MRT should be taken by referring to applicable regulations regarding railways as well as the security guidelines for national vital objects. (Antaranews)

VOINews, Jakarta - Taiwan's defence ministry said that it had detected 15 Chinese air force planes entering Taiwan's air defence zone on Thursday morning, including fighter jets and drones, accompanying Chinese warships carrying out "combat readiness patrols" and drills.

Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, has repeatedly complained over the past four years of Chinese military activity around the island. (Reuters)

VOINews, Jakarta - South Korea, Japan and the United States strongly condemned the supply of arms and military equipment by North Korea to Russia and said they had confirmed "several" deliveries of such weapons, a joint statement issued on Thursday said.

Russia and North Korea have denied the transfer of arms from the North for use in Russia's war against Ukraine amid reports that Washington and researchers said showed movement of vessels carrying containers likely with weapons between the two countries' ports.

While it was not possible to confirm the contents of the shipments, reports said containers from the North were later seen delivered to a Russian munitions storage facility near the border with Ukraine.

"The Republic of Korea, United States, and Japan strongly condemn the provision of military equipment and munitions by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) to the Russian Federation for use against the government and people of Ukraine," the statement said.

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is North Korea's official name.

"Such weapons deliveries, several of which we now confirm have been completed, will significantly increase the human toll of Russia’s war of aggression," the statement issued by the foreign ministers of the three countries said.

North Korea is seeking military assistance from Russia to advance its own military capabilities in return for its arms support for Moscow, it said.

"We are monitoring closely for any materials that Russia provides to the DPRK in support of Pyongyang’s military objectives," it said, adding any arms transaction with North Korea violated multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions that Moscow itself voted for.

North Korea and Russia pledged closer military cooperation when their leaders met in September in Russia's far east. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un this month and discussed implementing the agreements made at the summit. (Reuters)