VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta told the head of the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog on Monday that her government has full confidence in the IAEA's advice on the proposed Fukushima treated water release.

"I also felt it was important to draw attention to the Pacific's traumatic experience with nuclear testing and asked directly that meaningful engagement continue with the Pacific region on the proposed release," she said in a statement following the meeting with Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

After a two-year review, the IAEA said Japan's plans to release some 500 Olympic size swimming pools worth of water from the Fukushimi plant wrecked by a tsunami more than a decade ago were consistent with global safety standards and that they would have a "negligible radiological impact to people and the environment".

Following the release of the report, Grossi visited South Korea. He is currently in New Zealand before travelling to the Cook Islands where he will meet with Pacific Islands Forum chair and Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown.

The Pacific Islands Forum, a regional bloc of 17 island nations, has raised significant concerns about the release of the water fearing among other things the impact on fisheries.

Mahuta said New Zealand acutely understands the effects nuclear testing has had on its Pacific neighbours in the past, and the government would continue to call for the release of the water to be dealt with through transparency and meaningful dialogue. (Reuters)

VOINews, Jakarta - Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said Indonesia wants to reaffirm ASEAN's role as a contributor to peace and stability during the 56th ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting (AMM), which is set to be held in Jakarta on 10-14 July 2023.

"Economic growth in Southeast Asia is almost always above global growth. This growth and prosperity can only be achieved if there is peace and stability, and ASEAN has managed to realize it so far," Retno said when reviewing the AMM 2023 media center in Jakarta on Monday.

This year's meeting theme "ASEAN Matters: Epicenter of Growth" will focus on directing cooperation to strengthen ASEAN's relevance in responding to regional and global challenges, and strengthening ASEAN's position as the center of economic growth in the region.

The AMM series will be followed by 18 other meetings of ASEAN foreign ministers with dialogue partner countries. Including to discussion of the Southeast Asian Nuclear Weapons Free Zone (SEANWFZ), a meeting with the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), AMM in plenary format, and a review session (retreat).

Then, ASEAN foreign ministers will meet with dialogue partner countries namely India, New Zealand, Russia, Australia, China, Japan, South Korea, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States, as well as ASEAN Plus Three (APT), the East Asia Summit (EAS) foreign ministerial meeting, and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).

AMM will be attended by at least 1,165 delegates and 493 journalists from all over the world. (VOI)

VOINews, Jakarta - Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said Indonesia wants to reaffirm ASEAN's role as a contributor to peace and stability during the 56th ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting (AMM), which is set to be held in Jakarta on 10-14 July 2023.

"Economic growth in Southeast Asia is almost always above global growth. This growth and prosperity can only be achieved if there is peace and stability, and ASEAN has managed to realize it so far," Retno said when reviewing the AMM 2023 media center in Jakarta on Monday.

This year's meeting theme "ASEAN Matters: Epicenter of Growth" will focus on directing cooperation to strengthen ASEAN's relevance in responding to regional and global challenges, and strengthening ASEAN's position as the center of economic growth in the region.

The AMM series will be followed by 18 other meetings of ASEAN foreign ministers with dialogue partner countries. Including to discussion of the Southeast Asian Nuclear Weapons Free Zone (SEANWFZ), a meeting with the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), AMM in plenary format, and a review session (retreat).

Then, ASEAN foreign ministers will meet with dialogue partner countries namely India, New Zealand, Russia, Australia, China, Japan, South Korea, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States, as well as ASEAN Plus Three (APT), the East Asia Summit (EAS) foreign ministerial meeting, and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).

AMM will be attended by at least 1,165 delegates and 493 journalists from all over the world. (VOI)

VOINews, Jakarta - The Indonesian government has prepared several facilities for media covering the 56th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM), which is being held in Jakarta from July 10 to 14, 2023.

As the host, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has provided a media center that can accommodate 555 persons on the first and third floors of the Wisma 46-Kota BNI building, Jakarta.

"It consists of a work area for the media, a dining area, and an international broadcast center that will be used by TVRI (public television broadcaster), RRI (public radio station), and ANTARA (national news agency)," director of information and media at the ministry, Hartyo Harkomoyo, said here on Monday.

The international broadcast center will supply photos and live broadcasts of open events, such as delegates' arrivals and opening speeches.

In addition, a press conference room with a capacity of 100 people has also been prepared at Shangri-La Hotel, the venue for the 2023 AMM.

The organizer has also provided a special area for conducting live reports and a doorstop interview area on the first floor and second floor of the Shangri-La Hotel's lobby.

Furthermore, it has provided WiFi with a bandwidth of 450 kbps.

"Thus, we hope the media will not face internet (connection) issues. However, if hurdles are still found, please immediately report to our help desk," he said.

The series of 2023 AMM events comprises 18 meetings, including a meeting to discuss the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ), a meeting of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), an AMM plenary session, and a retreat session.

Furthermore, the agenda includes ASEAN foreign ministers' meetings with ASEAN dialogue partners, namely India, New Zealand, Russia, Australia, China, Japan, South Korea, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States.

It also includes the ASEAN Plus Three (APT) Foreign Ministers' Meeting, the East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers' Meeting, and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).

Those series of events will involve at least 1,165 delegates and 493 Indonesian and foreign reporters. (Antaranews)