VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The 21 economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) are expected to witness a 21 percent surge in energy demand over the subsequent three decades, partially owing to population and economic growth in Southeast Asia.

It was cited in a new APEC report issued by the APEC Energy Working Group and received here on Saturday.

Whilst industry continues to be the largest energy-consuming sector, two sectors – transport and building – will trigger increased energy demand, according to the APEC Energy Demand and Supply Outlook.

"Demand in the transport and building sectors is estimated to rise by some 30 percent, partially due to increasing incomes. Efficient policies will be critical to softening this growth in demand," Dr Jyuung-Shiauu Chern, the lead shepherd for the APEC Energy Working Group, stated.

Fossil fuels are projected to continue to constitute over 60 percent of the energy mix for the next three decades in the Asia-Pacific region, which comprises almost two-thirds of the global demand. Increased production and trade in natural gas and lower prices can facilitate its broader use as a substitute for coal.

"Significant progress is required to increase energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy and carbon capture and storage. This will help reduce the region’s greenhouse gas emissions to 8.5 gigatonnes by the year 2050 – a level consistent with the 2015 Paris Agreement ambitions," Dr. Kazutomo Irie, president of the Asia Pacific Energy Research Centre (APERC), who prepared the report, stated.

"Some 16 economies are projected to store 22 gigatonnes of carbon, mostly from the electricity sector, starting in 2030," Kazutomo remarked.

To meet this rising demand for electricity, APEC economies will require over 3,200 gigawatts of new power plant capacity. As use of renewable energy rises, economies should support variable production through quickly dispatchable thermal capacity and energy storage.

In 12 economies, including China, Japan, and the United States, pumped hydro storage is projected to enable support of variable renewables.

Even as growth of transport use is driving demand, the sector is projected to witness a shift towards electrification. China is expected to increase its adoption of electric vehicles by 17 percent yearly. However, electricity is projected to represent only five percent of the transport fuel demand.

In the building sector, implementation of the Minimum Energy Performance Standards can complement endeavors to label appliances in accordance with their efficiency capacity, including for air conditioning systems.

Broader application and enforcement of these regulations will bring the region nearer to its energy intensity reduction target of 35 percent for 2035 as compared to 2005.  (ant)

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and First Lady Iriana along with their first grandchild Jan Ethes today, Friday (7/6), visited the family of the Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat Palace at around 10.38 WIB.

Upon arrival at the palace court, President Jokowi and Mrs. Iriana were welcomed by the daughters, aides and grandchildren of Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X, namely , Princess, GKR Mangkubumi, Princess GKR Condrokirono, Princess GKR Maduretno, Princess GKR Hayu, Princess GKR Bendara, Prince KPH Wironegoro, Prince KPH Purbadiningrat , Prince KPH Notonegoro , RM Marrel , RM Drastya, and RAJ Irdina.

The President then walked towards the inner court yard and was welcomed by Sultan Hamengkubuwono and his wife Princess GKR Hemas, then walked into the palace.

After visiting for about 30 minutes, the President and Mrs. Iriana said goodbye to go home. Before leaving the palace, the President and family of the Yogyakarta Palace took a photo together.

The Sultan and all his family then escorted the Head of State to the front of the Keben Palace. At 11:12 a.m., the President left the palace to return to Gedung Agung. (kemensetkab-BPMI)

Indonesia condemned a series of acts of violence that took place in Sudan which resulted in fatalities and injuries in a series of actions in Sudan in recent days.

The government and the people of Indonesia convey deep condolences to the victims and their families.

Indonesia expects all parties to be able to restrain themselves.

Indonesia also hopes that the military and security forces can provide comprehensive protection against civilians.

Indonesia hopes that the transition process will proceed peacefully and that dialogue will continue to be put forward in accordance with the wishes and hopes of the Sudanese people and by continuing to respect international humanitarian law. (source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

"Indonesia together with ASEAN has an interest in continuing to maintain and ensure that the current geo-strategic dynamics do not interfere with peace and stability in the region. The aim is to make the Indo-Pacific region a peaceful, stable and prosperous region ", said the Director of ASEAN External Cooperation / Chair of the Indonesian Delegation, Benny YP Siahaan at the 34th ASEAN-Japan Forum Meeting in Hanoi, Vietnam, 3-4 June 2019.

This was revealed by Benny during a discussion on the Regional Architecture including Indo-Pacific Cooperation agenda. "ASEAN and Japan have the same goal that peace, security, stability and prosperity depend on openness, inclusiveness and stability in the Indo-Pacific region", continued Benny.

Senior Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan Takeo Mori as Chair of the Japanese Delegation, expressed his appreciation to ASEAN in determining attitudes in the midst of competition and the struggle for influence of major powers today. Japan is seen by Japan as being able to bridge and improve stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.

In addition, on the Regional and International Security Issues agenda, Indonesia expressed concern over several issues that were developing in the region. "Indonesia encourages the parties involved to dialogue and remain committed to achieving the Korean Peninsula which is peaceful and free from nuclear weapons. Regarding the situation in the South China Sea, Indonesia underlines the importance of relevant parties to respect and continue to support the process pursued by ASEAN, "Benny said.

The ASEAN-Japan Forum is an annual meeting at the level of Senior Officials (SOM) between ASEAN and Japan. The 34th ASEAN-Japan Forum meeting was chaired jointly by Ambassador Nguyen Quoc Dzung Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs / Chairperson of ASEAN-Vietnam SOM and Ambassador Takeo Mori Senior Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs / Chair of Japan's SOM. The meeting also discussed various matters of mutual interest, namely the development and direction of future ASEAN-Japan cooperation, among others in the field of maritime security, eradication of terrorism, cyber security, trade and investment including MSMEs, business to business linkages, regional connectivity, science and technology and innovation , disaster management, health, community relations, education and human resources and so forth.

ASEAN-Japan trade relations have reached 217.9 billion USD and put Japan as ASEAN's 4th largest trading partner. Japan was also recorded as the second largest source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in ASEAN with a figure of 13.2 billion USD.

In the socio-cultural field, ASEAN-Japan also pays attention to inter-community relations, especially through youth and student exchanges. Through the Japan East-Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths (JENESYS), ASEAN and Japan succeeded in increasing the understanding of youth and students of friendship and cooperation between the two. In the period of 2007-2018, there were 31,542 youth and students both ASEAN and Japan who had participated in the JENESYS exchange program.

ASEAN-Japan informal cooperation began in 1973 and increased to formal relations in March 1977. The ASEAN-Japan partnership then reached the Strategic Partnership level in 2011.

(Source: ASEAN External Cooperation Directorate, Ministry of Foreign Affairs)