VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

President Jokowi when opening the High-Level Meeting of the 10^th World Water Forum attended by 48 countries and international organizations in Bali, on Monday, 20 May (Photo : Infopublik.id) -

VOInews, Bali : Indonesian President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo emphasized the crucial role of water in human life. Problematic water management, in addition to slowing economic growth, also has the potential to trigger war and become a source of disaster. Therefore, Indonesia is advancing four concrete initiatives at the 10th World Water Forum in Bali on 18-25 May 2024.

“Too much water and too little water both can be a problem for the world,” said President Jokowi when opening the High-Level Meeting of the 10^th World Water Forum attended by 48 countries and international organizations in Bali, on Monday, 20 May.

For the first time since the World Water Forum was held, world water issues were discussed at the head-of-state level or at a High-Level Meeting.

In the past decade, Indonesia has bolstered its water infrastructure by constructing 42 dams, developing 1.18 million hectares of irrigation networks, building 2,156 km of flood control and coastal security, and rehabilitating 4.3 million hectares of irrigation networks.

Indonesia has also constructed the largest floating solar power plant in Southeast Asia at the Cirata Reservoir.

President Jokowi emphasized that the 10th World Water Forum is crucial for revitalizing concrete action and joint commitment to realize integrated water resources management.

Indonesia has consistently advocated several things including increasing solidarity and inclusiveness to find joint solutions, particularly for small island nations and those facing water scarcity.

Indonesia also promotes hydro-diplomacy to foster concrete and innovative cooperation, while avoiding competition in the transboundary water resources management.

Strengthening political leadership is crucial for Indonesia's success in achieving sustainable water security through various collaborations.

President Joko Widodo revealed four new initiatives promoted by Indonesia at the 10th World Water Forum. These initiatives included the establishment of World Lake Day, the establishment of a center of excellence in the Asia Pacific, sustainable water management in small island countries, and the promotion of water projects.

“Water is not just a natural product, but a product of collaboration that unites us, so joint efforts are needed to protect it,” President Joko Widodo concluded//VOI

Indonesian Public Works and Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono, when he was appointed as Honorary Ambassador of the Asia Water Council (AWC) on World Water Forum the 10th Miniterial meeting in Nusa Dua, Bali (Photo : Infopublik.id) - 

VOInews, Bali : Indonesian Public Works and Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono, has been appointed as Honorary Ambassador of the Asia Water Council (AWC). This appointment was announced at the 20th Board of Council Meeting at the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center (BNDCC) 1, Nusa Dua, Bali, on Sunday, 19 May.

"I was surprised and did not expect that I would be chosen as an honorary ambassador of AWC," said Minister Basuki.

An honorary ambassador is an individual with social achievements able to contribute to the mission and vision of AWC, especially to increase cooperation among AWC members and partners, implement medium and long-term development plans, as well as develop and revitalize water projects.

Basuki also revealed that as of Saturday evening, 18 May, the number of registrants wishing to attend the 10th World Water Forum had reached 20,121 people. Meanwhile, the total number of participants, including those participating in events related to the 10th World Water Forum was estimated to reach 46,000 people.

Indonesia's infrastructure development objective is to ensure the sustainability of clean water and sanitation for all people. It aims to address urbanization, climate change, and a continuously growing population.

"Over the past 10 years, Indonesia has embarked on an ambitious initiative to expand access to drinking water and improve safe sanitation facilities across the region," he said.

Through strategic investments and innovative approaches, Indonesia has also succeeded in expanding and increasing access to clean water for many communities//VOI

Chines has been struggling with a property crisis since 2021 (Photo by: BBC.com)

VOINews, Jakarta: Chinese authorities have unveiled their most significant steps yet to address the crisis that has been dragging on the country's property sector in recent years.

As reported by BBC.com (18/5), the new measures include cutting the amount home buyers need for a deposit and encouraging local authorities to purchase unsold properties.

Problems in China's property market are having a major impact on the world's second largest economy as the industry had been a key driver of growth until recently.

The People's Bank of China (PBOC) said it would set up a 300bn yuan ($41.5bn; £32.8bn) facility to support affordable housing.

The money would be aimed to support local state-owned enterprises to buy unsold homes, said Tao Ling, a deputy governor at the central bank at a news briefing.

Earlier, Vice Premier He Lifeng told officials that local governments can buy properties at "reasonable prices" and sell them as affordable housing, according to state-run Xinhua News Agency.//BBC.com/VOI

Director General of International Trade Negotiations of the Ministry of Trade, Djatmiko Bris Witjaksono held a bilateral meeting with the Director General of International Trade Negotiations of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism of Peru, José Luis Castillo in Arequipa, Peru, on Thursday (16/5/2024). (Photo by: ANTARA/HO-Kemendag)

VOINews, Jakarta: The Ministry of Trade (Kemendag) stated that Indonesia and Peru are committed to immediately starting negotiations on the Indonesia-Peru Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IP-CEPA).

As quoted by Antara, Director General of International Trade Negotiations of the ministry, Djatmiko Bris Witjaksono, stated that this was a follow up to the launch of IP-CEPA carried out by the Indonesian and Peruvian ministers in August 2023.

The launch was conducted by Indonesian Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan and Peruvian Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism Juan Carlos Mathews Salazar.

"We discussed plans for the First Round of IP-CEPA negotiations that will take place after the APEC meeting," Witjaksono noted in a statement from the Ministry of Trade in Jakarta, Saturday.

"This is a form of serious commitment from both parties to start negotiations that were launched last year and are targeted to be completed as soon as possible," he remarked.

Witjaksono stated that Indonesia had submitted a proposal and timeline regarding the number of rounds of negotiations to be carried out until substantial completion.

According to Witjaksono, the negotiations will start soon, and several rounds must be held every month. Peru is said to be responding positively, albeit must first study internally and adjust to the schedule.

Furthermore, Peru is one of the important countries for strengthening Indonesian trade in South America.

"The partnership with Peru is very important because it will open a more intensive path with the Latin American region," Witjaksono stated.

In the January-February 2024 period, total trade between Indonesia and Peru had reached US$67.2 million.

During that period, Indonesia's exports to Peru were recorded at US$42.9 million, while Indonesia's imports from Peru were recorded at US$24.3 million, so Indonesia enjoyed a surplus of US$18.6 million.

Meanwhile, in 2023, total trade between the two countries reached US$444.3 million, with the value of Indonesia's exports to Peru amounting to US$367.4 million and Indonesia's imports from Peru amounting to US$111.8 million.

Thus, Indonesia enjoyed a trade surplus of US$290.4 million with Peru.

In 2023, Indonesia's main exports to Peru included cars and other motorized vehicles, biodiesel and its mixtures, textile footwear, leather footwear, and uncoated paper and cardboard.

Meanwhile, Indonesia's main imports from Peru include cocoa beans, fresh or dried grapes, mineral or chemical phosphate fertilizers, unwrought zinc, and metal slag.//Antara/VOI.