VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) in cooperation with National Development Ministry and Ministry of Research, Technology and High Education and other related ministries as well as institutes held the 11th National Widyakarya of Food and  Nutrition in Jakarta on 3 -4 July 2018. It is a forum of multi stakeholders of academicians, government, industries and people to recommend the target of policy for food and nutrition in Indonesia. Head of LIPI Laksana Tri Handoko at the agenda said stunting and malnutrition as national problems that need to be overcome by inter-stakeholders. He further explained the intervention of prevention through governmental policy is important so that the problems can have appropriate solution.

“National Widyakarya of Food and  Nutrition has 2 main targets. Firstly, to formulate the policy strategy of inter sectors related to food and nutrition as input for National Mid-term Development Planning in 2020 – 2024 which is being discussed by National Development Ministry including nutrition standard. Secondly,  to formulate various research themes to answer the problem related to stunting as input for national priority research in 2020 – 2024,” Laksana Tri Handoko said.

Meanwhile, Minister of Research, Technology and High Education, Mohamad Nasir explained National Widyakarya of Food and Nutrition must be a direction in developing food and nutrition research in the future so the output research can have direct impact  to the quality improvement of human resources. He said  to increase the capability of science and technology and innovation in supporting food and nutrition sectors, it needs long time, hard-working, consistency and cooperation of inter stakeholders. (VOI/AF/DP)

Dutch Foreign Minister Stephanus Abraham Blok said that Indonesia has an emotional closeness which becomes the key to the close relationship between the two countries. The close relationship can be seen in the field of education in which until now  some Indonesian students choose Netherlands as the country  to continue their studies. Therefore the Dutch Government plans to extend the scholarship program provided to students from Indonesia until the 2025.

“Indonesia is a key part, not only for my country, but also for Dutch people individually. Many Dutch people have connection with Indonesia and specially also have root with Indonesia. This people to people ties is clearly visible in the field of education. Each year, around 1500 Indonesians come to study in the Netherlands. We are very welcome, since 1950, over 20.000 Indonesians have studied in Netherlands. This individual context is form a solid foundation. And in this spirit, I’m pleased to announce that we will be extending the student Dutch scholarship program for Indonesian students today until 2025,” Stephanus Abraham Blok said.

One of the scholarships provided by the Dutch government to students from Indonesia is through StuNed institution. In addition to the master scholarship, StuNed also provides scholarships for short courses in short capacity development, and tailor made training. Priority areas of this scholarship include International Trade, Finance and Economics, Transportation, Agro logistics and Infrastructure, Security and Law Enforcement, Water, Agro-food and Horticulture, and Health Management. (VOI/Rezha/DP)

Indonesian Minister of Foreign AffairsRetnoMarsudi held a bilateral meeting with the Dutch Foreign Minister StephanusAbraham Blok at Pancasila Building, Indonesian Foreign AffairsMinistry, Jakarta, on Tuesday, July 3rd. After the meeting,RetnoMarsudi said that she had asked the Netherlands as one of the EU member states to help Indonesia face discrimination against palm oil product which becomes one of its main export commodities.

“One of the largest component of Indonesia’s export to the Netherland is palm oil. Therefore, I raise the issue of discrimination against palm oil to the attention of Minister Blok. We have read the approve draftand remain very concern of its high potential on discrimination. The draft stipulate that it will use indirect land-used changed or ILUC as criteria which reflect more European view rather than an internationally accepted on,” Retno said.

Foreign Minister Marsudi further said the Government of Indonesia will continue negotiations with the EU to resolve one of the region's largest trade agreements, the Indonesia-EU Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (I-EU CEPA), although disputes between the two are related to palm oil still continue. He stressed that the negotiations to be taken should take into account the interests of both parties, including Indonesia's interest in palm oil trade. (VOI/Rezha/DP) 

The Government of Indonesia through the State Cyber and Codes Agency (BSSN) has signed a Letter of Intent in the field of cyber cooperation with the Dutch Government. The signing was done by BSSN Chairman DjokoSetiadi and Foreign Minister of the Netherlands, Stephanus Abraham Blok on Tuesday, July 3rd at Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jakarta. In a press statement with Indonesian Foreign Minister RetnoMarsudi, Foreign Minister Blok said that cyber security cooperation between Indonesia and the Netherlands is a media to enhance capability and exchange experiences between the two countries.

“Today, we also sign the letter of intent with Indonesia about cybersecurity. We agreed to launch the bilateral cyber dialogue to discuss ways of enchancing capabilities and to share experience about cyber legislation and protecting vital cyber infrastructure,” said Stephanus Abraham Blok.

The cyber security cooperation between Indonesia and the Netherlands is an important requirement for dealing various challenges in the digital era. The cooperation is equivalent to provide benefits for both countries. In this case Indonesia not only received one-way assistance from the Dutch Government. Indonesia has the opportunity to convey what Indonesia has in the field of cybersecurity as a tool in developing human resources capacity in the field of cybersecurity in both countries. (VOI/Rezha/DP)