VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The ASEAN Secretariat hosted the 4th Forum of Entities Associated with ASEAN. This annual forum provides a platform for ASEAN accredited Entities to bolster further cooperation with ASEAN Secretariat, ASEAN sectoral bodies, and ASEAN related centers.

About 150 participants representing ASEAN parliamentarians, judiciaries, youth, civil societies, women, and business and professional associations attended this year's forum virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In his welcome remarks, Secretary-General of ASEAN Dato Lim Jock Hoi encouraged the entities to explore collaboration with one another as it would assist the early realization of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025.

"On its part, the ASEAN Secretariat, as always, will work with you, the Entities and stakeholders, to further strengthen the ASEAN image and brand," he said.

Vietnam's Permanent Representative to ASEAN Ambassador Tran Duc Binh, in his role as Chair of the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN (ASEAN CPR), shared his appreciation for Entities' contributions to raise ASEAN awareness and foster community building.

''I hope this 4th Entities Forum will provide a platform to explore further cooperation,'' he concluded.

The Forum starts off with an overview of the COVID-19 impact in ASEAN and ASEAN's responses to date, in particular, how ASEAN Member States are working closely together for a post-pandemic recovery framework.

The participants were introduced to the current mid-term review exercises conducted under the ASEAN Community Blueprints.

This was followed by breakout sessions where participants shared their on-the-ground views on the progress of ASEAN Vision 2025 and possible areas for improvement.

As COVID-19 continues to hit the region and worldwide, the ASEAN Entities acknowledged that the journey to recovery requires closer cooperation between various partners and stakeholders.

Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for Community and Corporate Affairs, Michael Tene concluded the forum calling upon ASEAN and its entities to work closer together in achieving ASEAN Vision 2025.

''I look forward to seeing more initiatives from associated Entities to contribute to our efforts in ensuring a peaceful, resilient and prosperous region,'' he remarked.

There are 75 Entities associated with ASEAN, which are listed in Annex 2 of the ASEAN Charter. They are categorized into parliamentarians and judiciary, business organizations, think tank and academic institutions, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders.

The German Government supported this Forum through the GIZ cooperation project. (VOI)

Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto visited Vienna, Austria, to meet with the Austrian Defense Minister, Klaudia Tanner, at the Austrian Ministry of Defense office, Tuesday (20/10).

The Indonesian Embassy in Vienna in a statement received by Antara London on Wednesday said that the visit of Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto was intended to enhance bilateral cooperation in the defense sector between the two countries.

Prabowo who was accompanied by the Indonesian Ambassador to Austria Dr. Darmansjah Djumala, member of the Indonesian House of Representatives Commission I Sugiono, and Defense Attaché of the Indonesian Embassy in Berlin Col. Kav. Rio Hendrawan Alin Putra was greeted with a military honor ceremony by the Austrian Armed Forces of Honor.

On the occasion of the meeting, which lasted for about an hour, the two Defense Ministers discussed opportunities to increase bilateral cooperation in the defense sector.

Cooperation opportunities can be explored further through the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for defense cooperation between the two countries in the future.

Apart from discussing defense issues, the two Ministers also shared information on developments in the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in their respective countries. (Antaranews)

Japanese Prime Minister (PM) Yoshihide Suga affirmed his full support for the ASEAN Outlook on Indonesia concept, which was pioneered by Indonesia and will adopt it.

"Japan fully supports the ASEAN Outlook on Indopacific, which Indonesia pioneered for adoption," said PM Yoshihide Suga in a joint press statement with Indonesian President Jokowi after a bilateral meeting at the Bogor Presidential Palace, Tuesday.

PM Suga said Japan had fundamental similarities to the vision of a free and open Indopacific.

He added, based on this, Japan will cooperate with Indonesia ahead of the related ASEAN Summit, which will be held in November 2020.

In addition, he said, Japan together with Indonesia, which is a maritime country in the Indopacific region and a strategic partner, Japan will encourage further cooperation including efforts to overcome the COVID-19 outbreak.

"In the meeting with President Jokowi, I emphasized Japan's determination to initiate efforts to contribute to peace and prosperity in the region by mentioning ASEAN plays an important role in realizing a free and open Indopacific," he said.

Furthermore, he said Japan would cooperate and join hands with Indonesia for the realization of regional peace and prosperity based on a two-state strategic partnership.

PM Suga also hopes that his visit this time will strengthen cooperation and strategic partnership between the two countries. (Antaranews)

Japan has determined to provide fiscal assistance loans of 50 billion yen, equivalent to Rp6.95 trillion to Indonesia to increase disaster management capacity in Indonesia.

This was conveyed by Japanese PM Yoshihide Suga in a joint press statement with President Joko Widodo after holding a bilateral meeting between the two countries at the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java, Tuesday.

"Taking into account the impact of the spread of COVID-19 on the Indonesian economy, on this occasion Japan has designated a loan as fiscal assistance of 50 billion yen, to increase Indonesia's disaster management capacity," said PM Yoshihide Suga in Bogor, Tuesday.

He said Japan would also encourage cooperation in developing health studies in Indonesia by providing medical goods and equipment.

On that occasion, the two state leaders also restarted the journey between the two countries for business people, including nurses and caregivers under the Japan-Indonesia EPA framework.

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga also agreed to coordinate closely to resume as soon as possible a short-term business trip by easing self-isolation measures for 14 days after entering the destination country.

"Regarding the main priority in national development emphasized by President Joko Widodo, Japan will steadily promote cooperation in infrastructure such as the construction of the MRT, the Jakarta-Surabaya semi-fast train, the development and management of the Patimban Port, the construction of the outer islands and cooperation for increase economic resilience," said PM Yoshihide Suga. (Antaranews)