The Indonesian Embassy in Beirut has acknowledged its continued support for trade cooperation improvement between Indonesia and Lebanon. Indonesian Ambassador to Lebanon Hajriyanto Y Thohari gave the Primaduta Award to Lebanese businessman and importer, George R Fattouh. The award was given for his service in helping market Indonesian products in Paris from the Middle East. The award was given at a ceremony at the Indonesian Embassy in Beirut, Thursday (11/1) Fatough, is the owner of George R. Fattouh S.A.L, a business that has been importing Indonesian products since the 1980s. It has a range of products, including: palm oil and its derivatives, oil and fats (including cocoa butter substitute, fat spread, hydrogenated palm kernel oil, and lauric confectionery fats), cardboard, stationary, and school equipment. Some Indonesian products are now even available at famous retail networks, such as Spinney’s and Carrefour. In 2022, the value imported by George R. Fattough S.A.L of Indonesian products, was 981.3 million USD. This was a 149.5 million USD increase when compared to 2021. Fattouh said Indonesian products are known for their quality and are in high demand in Lebanese markets. However, he said, the challenge now is increasing freight costs due to security challenges in the region.
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Listeners, a number of delicious dishes were served to the guests of Dhaup Ageng Pura Pakualaman Yogyakarta, at the wedding reception of the youngest son of K.G.P.A.A. Paku Alam X, namely B.P.H. Kusumo Kuntonugroho with Laily Annisa Kusumastuti which was held on January 10, 2024.Head of the Customs and Accommodation Division, Dhaup Ageng Pura Pakualaman, KRT Radyo Wisroyo said that the menu served to guests was quite varied. These menus are typical menus prepared by Pakualaman Pura, Indonesian menus and western food menus were also available. All invited guests including VIP and VVIP guests got the same menu. The first menu served to welcome guests, namely two types of welcome drink, namely lime lemongrass and ginger drink with lime. The welcome drink was given when guests sat down and watched the Bedhaya Sidamukti and Bedhaya Kakung Indrawidagda dance performances. Next, they gotsnacks for appetizer such as croquettes and other light snacks. There is a snack that is considered quite special and rare called Garulina. Garulina was the opening snack at the Pahargyan Dhaup Ageng Pakualaman lunch on the first day. Garulina has been around since the era before Indonesian independence. Garulina is actually not a typical Central Javanese food. It looks like the Lapis Legit layered cake, but there is something different, because there is a special layer like vla which is made from fresh milk, eggs and sugar. To get this sweet snack, Pakulaman Temple has to place a special order from the third generation of makers who have been pioneering since the 1950s. In Jogja, Garulina is very difficult to find and is considered rare because it is not sold every day.
ViewThe Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Tunisia, Zuhairi Misrawi, gave a public lecture in the Indonesian language class at the Language Faculty of Carthage University in Tunis on Friday 29 December 2023.
On that occasion, Ambassador Zuhairi expressed his appreciation to Carthage University for opening Indonesian language learning classes for one semester. According to Ambassador Zuhairi, this program could be a bridge for Indonesia-Tunisia diplomacy in the future.
In a release from the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Tunis which was received in Jakarta, 29 December, quoted by Antara, Zuhairi said that the Indonesian Embassy in Tunis immediately responded to the initiative of Carthage University, which some time ago submitted a request to the Indonesian Embassy that they wanted to open Indonesian language classes.
The Indonesian Embassy in Tunis immediately followed up on this request and Zuhairi admitted that he was happy with the number of Indonesian language class enthusiasts who reached 80 people. According to Zuhairi, this means that Indonesia is becoming more widely known in Tunisia.
He also emphasized the need to strengthen the cultural diplomacy infrastructure among Tunisian youth, because they are interested in learning the languages, traditions and culture of other countries, including Indonesia.
Zuhairi also said that the Indonesian Embassy in Tunis was paying attention to cultural diplomacy, including by prioritizing Indonesian language learning on various campuses in Tunisia.
In 2024 several "Indonesian Corners" will be opened in which there will be Indonesian language class activities at Carthage University.
The Indonesian language class is one of the collaborative programs between the Indonesian Embassy in Tunis and Carthage University. The public lecture was also attended by the Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Languages, Carthage University and the Indonesian language teacher, Nanang Syaiful Rohman.
Education and Culture Attaché of the Indonesian Embassy in Canberra Mukhamad Najib said that the people of Indonesia and Australia, including academics, artists and cultural figures need to participate in strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries. In a written statement received in Jakarta, Thursday, it was stated that he conveyed this during a discussion with Western Sydney University Humanitarian and Development Research Initiative (HADRI) researcher Rob Goodfellow.
According to Najib, the Indonesian Embassy in Canberra always invites the diaspora living in Australia to play an active role in strengthening Indonesia-Australia relations through people-to-people contact, promotion of arts and culture, business and trade activities. Apart from that, the Indonesian Embassy also facilitates cooperation education and research.
Najib gave the example of the Indonesian academic diaspora in Australia which has played a role as a bridge in developing research and education collaboration between universities in Indonesia and Australia.
According to him, this has made a major contribution to strengthening relations between the two countries. Likewise with artists and cultural figures. He said, they can play a bigger role with a more humanistic and universal approach through artistic and cultural exchanges.
Rob Goodfellow also said the same thing that arts and culture can be an important factor in strengthening Indonesia-Australia relations.
Previously, Rob had sent the BlueScope Youth Orchestra team and collaborated with the Voice of Bali Children's choir in the Bali World Culture Celebration on July 7 at the Bali Arts Center, Denpasar at the invitation of the Bali Tourism Office and the organizers of the Bali Arts Festival.
Rob said that while in Bali the BlueScope Youth Orchestra not only performed at the festival, but also visited an orphanage for blind children in Tabanan, Central Bali. According to Rob, the presence of BlueScope children in Bali and their interactions with Indonesian children sends a message to the people of Australia and the world that Indonesia is a safe country for children.
In response to the unstable political situation in Afghanistan, the Indonesian government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs continues to maintain good relations between countries which have lasted for around sixty years.
Support has been provided by the Indonesian government, including in the education sector, namely providing scholarships for Afghan students to study in Indonesia.
This time, scholarships are given to 11 students, consisting of five men and six women. Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi in a meeting with the media in Jakarta, Wednesday (27/12) explained that she had met with scholarship recipients studying at the International Islamic University of Indonesia and Muhammadiyah University of Yogyakarta.According to Minister Retno Marsudi, the Indonesian government's steps to provide scholarships to Afghan students have also inspired other countries, such as the Netherlands and Norway, and have even made agreements with a number of universities in Indonesia. She also said that although the numbers are still limited, this has sparked the desire of other countries to participate.
Minister Retno further explained that providing scholarships for Afghan students could be done by using a collaborative mechanism. Take for example by involving funding from the Indonesian government and philanthropists and friendly countries. She emphasized that other countries' interest in collaborating to provide scholarships to Afghan students began after the International Conference on Afghan Women's Education in Bali last year.
The Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia (KJRI) in Perth, Western Australia, introduced Indonesia to the local people through the "Indonesia Goes to School" program. The program was held at Duncraig Senior High School on 31 October 2023. As quoted from the statement from the Indonesian Consulate General in Perth on Saturday (4/11), this event was one of the steps taken by the Indonesian Consulate General in Perth to promote Indonesia to students in Western Australia through a series of short workshops offering insight into Indonesian arts and culture.The "Indonesia Goes to School" program at Duncraig Senior High School includes lots of interesting activities, such as a short presentation about Indonesia, a Poco-Poco dance workshop, an Angklung workshop, and a cooking class led by chef David. The Angklung workshop was a moment for students to sing. "Waltzing Matilda" while playing this traditional Indonesian musical instrument.
Meanwhile in the dance workshop, the students unitedly danced Poco-Poco as an entertaining sports dance. One of the highlights of this activity was the cooking class, where students were given the task of cooking "cenil", a typical Central Javanese food with a Halloween theme. Not only the students, but the teachers also presented enthusiastically to take part in this cooking activity.
The Indonesian Consulate General in Perth hopes that through the "Indonesia Goes to School" program, students will be increasingly interested in continuing their education in Indonesian. Duncraig Senior High School itself has made Indonesian as part of its curriculum, Indonesian language lessons start from grades 7 to 12.
The Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo, Japan assessed the achievements of the young Indonesian director Mouly Surya who won the Kurosawa Akira Award as proof that Indonesian filmmakers have capacities and abilities that are competitive with foreign filmmakers. Deputy Indonesian Ambassador to Japan, John Tjahjanto Boestami to ANTARA in Tokyo on Tuesday (31/10) pointed out that this achievement was an honor not only for Mouly Surya, but also for Indonesia. According to John Tjahjanto, the award was indirectly a form of promoting Indonesia to the foreign people, particularly Japan. One of the films that contributed to Mouly Surya's achievements, Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts, tells of a woman's resistance to the violence she experienced and takes place in East Nusa Tenggara Province.
Mouly Surya is the first female director to win the Kurosawa Akira Award, and now her name is alongside world-famous directors such as Steven Spielberg and Yoji Yamada who have won similar awards. John hopes Mouly's achievement can be an encouragement for other young Indonesian filmmakers to make achievements in the international film arena. The Kurosawa Akira Award is one of the best film awards in the world. The award which started in 2004 was on hiatus for 14 years and was awarded again this year at the Tokyo International Film Festival in Tokyo on Tuesday (10/31).
The Embassy of Indonesia in Astana, Kazakhstan is trying to strengthen cultural relations with Kazakhstan through a collaborative batik workshop between the two countries, which was held at the Astana Indonesian Cultural Center on Sunday (29/10).
In his opening statement, Indonesian Ambassador to Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, Fadjroel Rachman, as stated in a press release received in Jakarta on Monday (30/10), said that the workshop is an opportunity to form relationships, share ideas, and strengthen cultural ties between the two countries. He also remarked that by working together, people of the two countries can create not only beautiful batik works, but also sustainable relationships that will enrich mutual understanding of each other's cultures. He added that the batik collaboration was to celebrate the creativity, friendship, and cultural strength that exists in both countries.
The batik workshop was held to commemorate 30 years of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Kazakhstan and to illustrate the close relationship between the two countries in the form of Indonesian cultural treasures of batik.
Attended by 25 participants, all of whom were Kazakhs, the workshop was held as a soft diplomacy effort by the Indonesian Embassy in Astana to shape a positive image of Indonesia in Kazakhstan and Tajikistan.
They carried out batik-making activities, starting from drawing designs, coloring, and using a pen-like tool canting to the final process. All was explained in an interesting way by the teachers to all participants.
One of the participants, Beket Safiyanur, admitted that he enjoyed taking part in the batik workshop. Meanwhile, batik class teacher, Deby Rahmayanti is optimistic that batik can be a gate to Indonesian cultural diplomacy in Kazakhstan, because the art of batik is also part of people's lives in the country.
Indonesia and Norway successfully held the 6th Development Leaders Conference (DLC) with the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) and the Center for Global Development (CGD) in Oslo on 24 to 25 October 2023. Quoting the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday ( 29/10), Director General Siti Nugraha Maulidiah in her speech as co-host said, equality in partnerships, mutual benefit and dialogue to build trust are the keys to advancing global development cooperation.
Siti Nugraha said that the DLC meeting was a forum for unifying discussions between DAC (Developments Assistance Countries) member countries, most of which are developed countries, and emerging donor countries. Indonesia's leadership in the meeting was a reflection of international recognition of Indonesia's role and contribution as a new emerging donor.
As a co-host representing new emerging donors and the Global South, Indonesia highlights the importance of intensifying constructive dialogue between countries, strengthening global partnerships, and the need for innovation in development funding. Indonesia also sees the need to strengthen the participation of emerging donors and developing countries receiving grants to provide a different perspective balanced.
The 6th DLC meeting discussed the increasing burden on developing countries to pay debt interest which weakens development financing. Participants also discussed the shift in the trend of distribution of Official Development Assistance (ODA) from poverty alleviation programs to climate change issues.
Indonesia and Norway have a unique position in providing leadership for dialogue between donor countries. Norway as a DAC member provides the perspective of a traditional donor country, while Indonesia as a new donor country can bring the views of developing countries and donor recipient countries in establishing balanced development cooperation.
As co-host, Indonesia will host the 7th DLC which is planned to be held in Bali, on June 12 and 13, 2024. At the meeting, Indonesia will encourage more balanced thematic discussions by promoting the interests of developing countries or the Global South.
The Indonesian Ambassador to Japan Heri Akhmad hopes that Indonesia's participation in the World Taikai World Kempo Championship Tokyo will be a bridge that strengthens Indonesia's relations with Japan. Ambassador Heri Akhmadi while attending the opening of the 2023 World Kempo Championship 'World Taikai Tokyo' held by the World Shorinji Kempo Organization ( WSKO) at Nippon Budokan, Tokyo on Sunday (8/10/2023) pointed out that Indonesia's participation in this prestigious competition is clear evidence of the strong relationship of both countries.
Moreover, President of the World Shorinji Kempo Organization (WSKO) Kouma So in his opening remarks at the Tokyo 2023 World Kempo World Taikai Championship appreciated the participation of all participants. He hopes that in the championship which will take place on 6–13 October 2023, there will be friendship between all countries that will be remembered together. According to him, this championship is not only looking for medals or results, but more than that, it can achieve self-confidence and friendship. Founder of Shorinji Kempo Indonesia Indra Kartasasmita explained that he was proud of the participation of 153 kempo athletes or what are called Indonesian kenshi in the international kempo event. He wants the current generation not only to win in competitions but also to foster better cooperation between countries for the good name of Indonesia.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Foreign Relations and Cooperation Division of the Central Indonesia National Sports Committee (KONI), Galih Kartasasmita, hopes that this championship can unite the people of the world, particularly Indonesia and Japan. According to him, sport is able to unite people around the world and is one that can bridge relations countries. The Indonesian contingent consisting of 153 Kenshi took part in 19 competition events, and managed to get second place with 4 gold, 3 silver and 5 bronze medals.
The Indonesian Embassy in Belgrade held a Diplomatic Reception to celebrate the 78th anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia and the Indonesian Armed Forces on Thursday (05/10). The Indonesian Ambassador to Serbia, Mochammad Chandra Widya Yudha, in his official statement on Saturday (7/10) said that Indonesia-Serbia cooperation is not only reflected in the increase of trade, but includes strengthening political relations, cultural exchange and educational cooperation.
In this Diplomatic Reception, the Indonesian Language, Indonesian Culture and Indonesian Arts were introduced to the people of Siberia by presenting choir groups, dance studios and gamelan groups. Quoted from the website of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the reception was attended by strategic partners including high-ranking Serbian officials, among others, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ivica Dacic, Minister of Regional Development, Edin Djerlek, Heads of Representatives and diplomatic circles as well as international organizations, business circles, other working partners and friends of Indonesia in Serbia.
The website of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that in the first half of 2023, Indonesia-Serbia cooperation experienced an increase in various sectors, one of which was an increase in trade volume of 227 percent. The collaboration between the two countries also resulted in the inauguration of the document "The First Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement in Belgrade" as UNESCO's Memory of the World. In addition, Serbia's accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in South East Asia (TAC) reflects Serbia's recognition of the ASEAN principles and values promoted in Indonesia's Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2023.