VOInews, Jakarta: Twenty-four ambassadors and heads of representatives of member countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), including Indonesia, met with Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billström in Stockholm, Sweden. During the meeting, which took place on November 9, 2023, the Ambassadors expressed their full support for Palestine and condemned Israel's military aggression in the Gaza Strip.
According to an official statement from the Indonesian Embassy in Stockholm received by Indonesia Window here on Monday (13/11/2023), the OIC Ambassadors asked Sweden to urge Israel to implement a ceasefire and cease military attacks.
"Open access to humanitarian assistance from the international community and remain consistent in supporting a two-state solution where Palestine and Israel can live side by side in peace based on the 1967 territorial divisions," the Indonesian Embassy in Stockholm wrote.
Meanwhile, the Indonesian Ambassador to Sweden, Kamapradipta Isnomo, reiterated Indonesia's condemnation of Israel's violence against civilians and civilian facilities, especially hospitals, schools, and places of worship, in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
"The Indonesian Ambassador said that Indonesia condemned the casualties of 40 journalists and asked Sweden to continue providing international development assistance to Palestine. The Indonesian Ambassador sees that the suspension or termination of long-term development cooperation assistance for Palestine could set a bad precedent and could be part of collective punishment against Palestine in the context of international assistance," wrote the Indonesian Embassy in Stockholm.
Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billström expressed his appreciation for the meeting and dialog with OIC Ambassadors and heads of representatives in Stockholm. The Swedish Foreign Minister committed SEK 210 million (USD 2 million) in humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and will work for a ceasefire and humanitarian access with other EU member states.
Sweden was the first EU member state to officially open diplomatic relations with Palestine on October 30, 2014. Through the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), Sweden is one of the largest contributors of development aid in the European Union, through thematic programs such as democracy, gender equality, human rights, environment and inclusive economic development.
VOInews, Jakarta: President Joko Widodo arrived in Washington D. C., United States, Sunday (12/11/2023) local time to meet with US President Joe Biden. President Joko Widodo said he would discuss the resolution of the meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Extraordinary Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with President Biden.
"The OIC Summit produced a resolution that contains a very strong message for the world and it is this message that I will convey to President Biden tomorrow where this is the voice of 57 countries or about one-third of the votes of countries in the world," President Joko Widodo said in an official statement received on Monday (13/11/2023).
In addition, President Joko Widodo will deliver a special message from Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas to President Joe Biden. The message was delivered to him when they met on the sidelines of the OIC Extraordinary Summit.
President Joko Widodo also appreciated and gave full support to Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi who was given the trust by OIC leaders to seek peace in Palestine.
"I also want to give full support to the Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs who was chosen as one of the Foreign Ministers who was given the trust by OIC leaders to seek peace in Palestine," President Joko Widodo said.
Not only that, related to the condition of Indonesian hospitals in Palestine, in the OIC Extraordinary Summit meeting, the President also emphasized the importance of respecting international humanitarian law and the Indonesian government will continue to strive to protect Indonesian citizens and public facilities including hospitals.
VOInews, Jakarta: Secretary-General of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology Suharti has invited all parties at UNESCO to promote peace that focuses on education, culture, science, and information technology.
"Indonesia will continue to build partnerships with UNESCO to achieve these common goals," Suharti said in an official statement from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology, Monday (13/11/2023).
Indonesia has been actively involved in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) through the implementation of Merdeka Belajar policy. This policy, designed to improve the quality of education, emphasizes inclusivity, and seeks to provide high-quality education for all without exception.
The newly introduced Merdeka Curriculum allows for flexible adjustment of learning pace, prevents students from falling behind and integrates Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related themes such as climate change and diversity into the education framework. Indonesia is also currently drafting a National Initiative that will be submitted to the ESD-Net 2030 Global Meeting in Tokyo, Japan in December.
Additionally, as a country of mega-biodiversity, Indonesia is responsible for maintaining its sustainability through various UNESCO programs. Indonesia is committed to conducting inclusive research and innovation for sustainable resource utilization in various sectors, supporting conservation, and initiating a green and blue economy. Therefore, Indonesia will host the World Water Forum in Bali next year, emphasizing global collaboration concerning water-related crises.
Concerning communication and information, Indonesia firmly stands with the Memory of the World initiative which has the purpose of sustaining documentary heritage and its accessibility. Indonesia also acknowledged the gravity of issues such as disinformation, cyber threats, and online harassment.
"Indonesia is firm in its commitment to facilitate a dignified free data flow, including the cross-border initiative," Suharti said.
During the meeting, Indonesia also announced that it's running as a member of the UNESCO Executive Boards and Governing Boards of The International Programme for the Development of Communication for the 2023-2027 period.
"We hope for the support from state members [of UNESCO] to ensure Indonesia's positive contribution to reach its national purpose to become part of the international community, and the mutual purpose to support UNESCO and its state members to prioritize peace," Suharti concluded.
VOInews, Jakarta: The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has again succeeded in evacuating a family of Indonesian citizens (WNI) out of Gaza. Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said she received a report on Sunday afternoon that a family of Indonesian citizens was successfully evacuated and is now in Egypt.
"At around 6 p.m., I received a report that they were successfully evacuated. Currently, they are in the Egyptian territory and are with the evacuation team of the Indonesian Embassy in Egypt," Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said in an official statement on Sunday (12/11/2023).
Retno explained that the evacuation process took a long time and was difficult but the Indonesian government continued to make maximum efforts.
"The evacuation process took quite a long time, from the issue of his name not being on the list, the process of putting his name on the list, took a very long time. And once his name was on the list, the evacuation could not be carried out because the border gate was not opened for various reasons," she explained.
Retno also said that the successful evacuation of the family now leaves three Indonesian citizens living around the Indonesian hospital who have decided to stay in Gaza. For this reason, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs continues to communicate with the three Indonesians and also with MER-C representatives in Jakarta to ensure their condition is good.