VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

President Joko Widodo released the Indonesian contingent for the 2018 Asian Para Games. The release ceremony was held in the central courtyard of the Merdeka Palace on Tuesday, 2 October 2018.

In his remarks, the Head of State advised 296 athletes to be able to show their best abilities during the upcoming 2018 Asian Para Games.

"Soon you, ladies and gentlemen, have been included in an international competition at the 2018 Asian Para Games. As the country's best sons and daughters, I entrusted you, ladies and gentlemen, to strive to give the best to this country," the President said.

The president said he had seen firsthand how the Asian Para Games athletes trained hard to prepare themselves for the event. He hopes that the rigorous training can produce results that make Indonesia proud on the world stage.

In addition, the President also reaffirmed Indonesia's target in the event. The 8th position and 16 gold are the expected targets.

WEST JAVA is WONDERFUL. To all visitors, thank you for visiting Wonderful West Java. Please come back again soon ( twitter Ridwan Kamil, Governor of West Java Province )

The commemoration of World Tourism Day which has taken  place on every 27^th September since 1980 can be a significant momentum for Indonesian people in developing tourism potential spread throughout Indonesia from Sabang to Merauke and from Miangas to Rote Island by applying the principles of tourism development. Indonesian nature which has natural potential, flora and fauna, and a fairly sustainable environment is the main capital that can be utilized sustainably.

Improved awareness of various parties on the environment and issues concerning environmentally sound development has contributed to the view of the importance of sustainable tourism principles. Tourism development and environmental management have two major points: mutually complement and attract tourists. Precisely, we can say that the more sustainable the environment is, the more prosperous the people are. With good-quality tourism management and development, Marine Tourism, Environmental Tourism, Eco Tourism, Exploration, Adventure, Cultural Heritage, Religion & Pilgrimage Tours, Art & Culinary Tourism, Urban & Rural Tourism, Sports tourism can certainly attract more foreign tourists to come to visit Indonesia.

In regard to the world of tourism, Minister of Tourism, Arief Yahya targets  that in 2019, 20 million foreign tourists will visit Indonesia. Until now, Bali is still a favorite destination for foreign tourists visiting Indonesia. There are 10 tourist destinations in Indonesia that are set to be a priority known as 10 New Bali. The ten destinations are Lake Toba in North Sumatra), Belitung Island in Bangka Belitung, Tanjung Lesung in Banten, Seribu Islands in Jakarta, Borobudur Temple in Central Java, Mount Bromo in East Java, Lombok Mandalika in West Nusa Tenggara, Komodo Island in East Nusa Tenggara, Wakatobi National Park in Southeast Sulawesi, and Morotai in North Maluku. Of the ten destinations, four destinations will be the main projects to be developed. They are Mandalika, Lake Toba, Borobudur, and Labuan Bajo Island of Komodo. The government is now building various supporting infrastructure and facilities such as roads and hotels to implement the program.

We hope that the World Tourism Day commemoration can be a better momentum to improve understanding of the importance of sustainable tourism development. In addition, the country's foreign exchange will increased with the arrival of foreign tourists to Indonesia. In 2018 at least, the tourism sector is expected to contribute US$17 billion dollars. The following year, it will be US$20 billion dollars. All can only be realized if it is supported by a conducive security in all tourist destinations, including in the 10 new destinations that have been attempted.

Today at local time in New York, United Nations Organization commences 2018 General Assembly. About 200 high-level representatives of members of the world body are present and they take turns to express their views in the general debate in a bid to discuss various international issues. Of the most important events in the world, we can say that the public debate in this year's general assembly will cover at least five main issues. The five points that become the main agenda seem to be the Rohingya problem, the Civil War in Syria, Iran and the actions of the American and its allies, North Korea and of course the Palestinian Issues.

Discussions about Myanmar and Rohingya correlate with the statement of the fact-finding body of the UN human rights body which says that the Rohingya military is fully responsible for the mass murder of the ethnic Muslim group, Rohingya in Rakhine state. The issue of Syria will be also a debate because until now, the war is still raging, even refugees continue to be a problem in a number of countries. The intervention of other countries, including the United States, Russia, Iran and Saudi Arabia is predicted to make the debate warm, and can even address the issue of the humanitarian tragedy of the Syrian people. As for the Palestinian issue, the talks will remain warm. We hope the debate will create solutions that benefit the Palestinians. Regarding the issue of Iran, Tehran in the UN General Assembly may get fresh air because European countries disagree with the United States which insists imposing sanctions on Tehran. The debate about Iran might get different perspectives. The fifth crucial issue that will emerge in the UN General Assembly is, of course the issue between South and North Koreas. The last reconciliation process of both countries is marked by the visit of the President of South Korea, Moon Jae-in to North Korea.

Of the five crucial issues that we expect to be the main items of debate, Indonesia will certainly express its position. Vice President Yusuf Kalla, who leads the Indonesian delegation, will convey Indonesia's attitudes and views on this crucial issue. Speaking to the World Peace Summit to commemorate Nelson Mandela's 100th anniversary the day before the General Assembly, VP Jusuf Kalla called for the importance of reconciliation and justice dialogue to build the world peace. This appeal certainly needs to be reaffirmed through a speech before the UN General Assembly. Indonesia's experience in realizing peace in Aceh, improving good relations among religions and maintaining the quality of democracy, becomes a good trust when Indonesia is present before the highest leaders of UN member states.