VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The left ; UNDP Indonesia Resident Representative, Mr. Norimasa Shimomura ; Ambassador of Japan to ASEAN, H.E. Mr. Kiya Masahiko ; Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Economic Community, H.E. Mr. Satvinder Singh giving statement after the launching of ASEAN Blue Economy Innovation Project on Tuesday (14/05/24), (Photo : VOI) - 

VOInews, Jakarta : The ASEAN Blue Economy Innovation project has been officially inaugurated by the Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN, alongside the Ambassador of Japan to ASEAN and the UNDP Resident Representative in Indonesia.

This ASEAN endeavour is supported by the Government of Japan and UNDP operating out of its office in Jakarta, designed to invite entrepreneurs and innovators from the ten ASEAN Member States and Timor-Leste to address challenges and drive progress in the blue sectors, which encompass ocean and freshwater ecosystems.

The project encompasses three primary activities: the ASEAN Blue Innovation Challenge, the Blue Incubation Programme, and Blue Business Matchmaking. Through these initiatives, 60 successful innovators will receive financial support of up to US$40,000 each.

They will also benefit from a mentorship programme during the incubation phase to refine and commercialise their solutions within a six-month period. Furthermore, during the business matchmaking activity, winning teams will have the opportunity to present their innovative solutions to business communities, financiers, and investors, thereby gaining access to blue investments in the region.

During the project launch at the ASEAN Secretariat, Jakarta Secretary-General of ASEAN, H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn delivers his opening remarks through the recorded video.

He mentions that with the ASEAN Blue Economy Innovation project came at an opportune time as the region gears up with the implementation of the ASEAN Blue Economy Framework,

“The project seeks to not only improve the economic output of marine sectors but also to enhance the resilience of coastal communities against climate change and environmental degradation. This initiative stands as a testament to ASEAN’s commitment to harnessing the blue economy for regional development, environmental sustainability, and socio-economic inclusion,” said Dr. Kao Kim Hourn.

Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Economic Community, H.E. Mr. Satvinder Singh said,

“Since the adoption of the ASEAN Blue Economy Framework in September 2023, we continue to make another step forward in our collective efforts to enhance the sustainable use of both ocean and freshwater resources for the economic growth and prosperity of ASEAN people. This pioneering project also further emphasizes ASEAN’s commitment and readiness to take the lead on regional cooperation and economic integration concerning blue economy innovations.”

ASEAN stands at the forefront of the world’s maritime potential. ASEAN also boasts a diverse array of marine resources with an estimated market value of up to US$2.5 trillion per year or five percent of the global economy.

Recognising the vast promise of ASEAN’s blue economy, there are numerous challenges that ASEAN Member States must grapple with. Issues like overfishing, habitat degradation, and marine pollution pose significant threats to the region’s marine and freshwater ecosystems. This underscores the urgent need for collaborative and concerted efforts to address them.

Ambassador of Japan to ASEAN, H.E. Mr. Kiya Masahiko remarked,

“ASEAN-Japan cooperation has just started a new journey toward the next 50 years. Japan continues to encourage ASEAN’s success in this new frontier of blue economy and innovation. I look forward to working with all of you to make this project impactful to the people in the entire region. I am hopeful that this project will serve as a catalyst for further cooperation and investment in this field.”

Aligned with Ambassador Kiya’s message on the importance of collaboration, UNDP Indonesia Resident Representative, Mr. Norimasa Shimomura stated,

“collaboration and innovation are key to address the challenges in sustainably harnessing and managing marine and freshwater ecosystems. From our base in Jakarta, we hope that this blue economy innovation project will benefit ASEAN member states and Timor-Leste to expand the blue economy's potential in these countries.”

UNDP has been an advocate for the blue sector on a global scale for more than 25 years. Having mobilised over US$1 billion for ocean protection and restoration across more than 100 countries, UNDP remains committed to promoting a sustainable global blue economy that harnesses ocean and freshwater resources for inclusive development.

For example, in Indonesia, UNDP has helped realise the vision of the Government of Indonesia to promote multilateral cooperation with the aim of protecting the marine environment and promoting the blue economy through the Archipelagic and Island States Forum (AIS Forum). Archipelagic Island States (AIS).

The ASEAN Blue Innovation Challenge is open for applications until 31 May 2024 midnight Jakarta time, offering the entrepreneurs and innovators in ASEAN and Timor-Leste the chance to access financial and incubation support from the project in the areas of climate change, marine plastic pollution, sustainable fisheries, and sustainable tourism. Apply through www.undp.org/indonesia/blueinnovation//VOI

The National Library during submitted the Tambo Tuanku Imam Bonjol manuscript as a Memory of the world in Ulaan Baatar, Mongolia (Photo : Perpusnas) - 

VOInews, Jakarta - Indonesia's documentary heritage, the Tambo Tuanku Imam Bonjol manuscript, is designated as one of the Memories of the World (MoW) for Asia and the Pacific.

The certificate was handed over by the leader of the Memory of the World Regional Committee for Asia and the Pacific (MOWCAP) Kwibae Kim to the Head of the National Archives Imam Gunarto accompanied by the Deputy for Library Material Development and Information Services of the National Library of Indonesia (Perpusnas) Mariana Ginting in Ulaan Baatar, Mongolia, on Wednesday (8/5/2024).

The manuscript proposed by the National Library and the West Sumatra Provincial Government was selected after following a voting process from meeting participants representing Australia and Tuvalu, Bangladesh, China, the Philippines, India, Malaysia, Mongolia, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Thursday (09/05/24), apart from the Tambo Tuanku Imam Bonjol manuscript, the designation of Memory of the World for Asia and the Pacific was also given to the Indarung Semen Padang archive proposed by PT Semen Padang, and the archive of the Indonesian Sugar Research Institute in 1887-1986 proposed by the East Java Library and Archives Office and the Indonesian Sugar Research Institute.

The National Library's first expert librarian, Aditia Gunawan, explained that the Tambo Tuanku Imam Bonjol manuscript is one of the authentic notes written by natives summarizing the history of the Padri War and West Sumatra in the 19th century.

He added, there are several reasons why this manuscript deserves to be designated as Memory of the World (MoW) for Asia and the Pacific. First, the Tambo Tuanku Imam Bonjol manuscript is a pioneering work, both in terms of influence and genre of writing.

"The work is in the form of a hypogram with actors narrating it directly," he explained from Ulaan Baatar.

Second, this manuscript has significant historical relevance in the pre-independence period of Indonesia and is evidence of Minangkabau history in the 19th century.

Third, this work presents a global narrative of the Islamic movement between the Middle East and Southeast Asia in the 18th to 19th centuries.

"Fourth, this text highlights the active role of women, a characteristic that is supported by the Minangkabau cultural background with its matrilineal kinship. "And fifth, as the only Minangkabau Malay handwritten work that reveals historical facts, this manuscript has an irreplaceable position as a reference for the future," he explained.

After the Tambo Tuanku Imam Bonjol manuscript was designated by MOWCAP, he explained, a follow-up program was needed that would make the manuscript easily accessible, widely known and preserved for future generations.

MOWCAP is a regional forum for the global Memory of the World (MOW) Program of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which was founded in 1998.

In the Asia Pacific region, many libraries, archives and memory institutions are facing challenges. such as economics, climate and geography in maintaining the preservation of the collection.

MOWCAP aims to assist the preservation and universal access to documentary heritage in the Asia/Pacific region and also raise awareness of the existence and importance of this heritage//VOI

Kawasan The Nusa Dua, Bali (Photo : dok ITDC) - 

VOInews, Jakarta - The management of The Nusa Dua area, Bali Province is preparing their services and infrastructure to ensure that the implementation of the 10th World Water Forum which will be held at that location on 18-25 May 2024 runs smoothly.

"As the manager of The Nusa Dua area, we are preparing by carrying out area maintenance to ensure the readiness of services, infrastructure and integrated area security systems in prime condition," said General Manager of The Nusa Dua, I Made Agus Dwiatmika, in his statement in Bali, as quoted in Wednesday (8/5/2024).

Made Agus said that the 10th World Water Forum would be held at two Meeting, Incentive, Convention and Exhibition (MICE) venues in areas owned by tourism State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN).

Meanwhile, the Bali International Convention Center (BICC), The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali will be the location for the High Level Meeting on 20-21 May 2024.

"Nusa Dua Hall, Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center (BNDCC), will also be the location for the Opening Fair and Expo. "The Fair and Expo will be held at several locations such as BNDCC, BICC, Bali Collection Nusa Dua and Kuta Beach on 20-25 May 2024," he said.

According to Made Agus, one activity that is no less interesting is the "Samudra Cipta Peradaban" Cultural Parade, which will take place in the Nusa Dua area on May 20 2024 at 17.00 - 18.00 WITA.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Thursday (09/05/24), the cultural parade will feature various arts and culture attractions that will enchant the delegates and add a local touch to the event.

"Apart from that, to date, 10 hotels in the Nusa Dua area have been confirmed as accommodation locations for heads of state and World Water Forum delegates, including seven hotels for VVIP guests and 3 hotels for VIP guests and delegates," he said.

All confirmed hotels, continued the General Manager of The Nusa Dua, are currently preparing both in terms of facilities and security systems in the form of x-rays and security doors.

As a security control center, The Nusa Dua Command Center itself will be equipped with modern facilities, such as integrated CCTV, TV Monitor, Integrated Radio Communication, Information System Link with the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) and the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) in the form of an Alert System Tsunamis, earthquakes and extreme weather, as well as the Indonesian Tourism Decelopment Corporation (ITDC) security unit which is reinforced with sniffer dogs (K9), fire fighting units and area patrols.

"With thorough preparation and a high spirit of collaboration, the 10th World Water Forum in 2024 at The Nusa Dua is ready to become a foundation for sustainable change towards a better future for our earth," concluded Made Agus//VOI

Tourists are carrying out the Melukat tradition or cleansing the soul at the Tirta Empul temple, Bali (Photo : Pura Tirta Empul Doc) - 

VOInews, Jakarta : The Indonesian government will present various side events and art and cultural exhibitions at the 10th World Water Forum which will take place on 18-25 May 2024 in Nusa Dua, Bali.

Delegates and participants, apart from being involved in the main forum, are expected to also experience the atmosphere of Bali.

This was said by the Deputy Chair of the Secretariat of the 10th World Water Forum National Committee who is also Expert Staff to the Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) for Technology, Industry and the Environment, Endra S. Atmawidjaja in Jakarta on Tuesday (7/5/2024).

Endra emphasized that the world's largest water forum, which was held for the first time in Indonesia, also involved many stakeholders, so that its implementation was carefully prepared.

Both regarding the main forum and events outside the forum, such as fairs and expos and the variety of arts and culture displayed.

“It is an honor for Indonesia to be able to host the 10th World Water Forum. "We want the participants who attend not only to take part in the main forum, but also to experience the different atmosphere of Bali," said Endra in a press release received by Voice of Indonesia on Wednesday (8/5/2024).

Indonesia as the host has prepared 280 sessions at the 10th World Water Forum, including 55 side events and 10 special sessions.

The series of events will open with the Balinese Water Purification Ceremony, which is a typical Balinese traditional ritual with the concept of the Rahina Tumpek Uye activity and the Segara Kerthi Ceremony.

In line with Endra's statement, in a separate statement, the Head of Division V of the 10th Fair and Expo World Water Forum and Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy (Menparekraf) Sandiaga Uno revealed that the main support that will be provided by the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (Kemenparekraf) is by facilitating the delegation to explore the Melukat procession which has spiritual meaning for the Balinese people.

This Melukat procession will later involve the local regional government.

The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy will also participate in the Indonesia Pavilion by providing tourism content with virtual reality (VR), selling low carbon tour packages, a series of Fairs and Expos, providing Wonderful Indonesia souvenirs and goodie bags, presenting content and activating the Lokapala game, as well as exhibiting and selling products -Selected and quality Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) products through planograms.

The opening of the Fair and Expo will be held on May 20 2024 at the Nusa Dua Hall Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center (BNDCC). The Fair and Expo locations will be spread across the BNDCC area, Baruna Disaster Shelter in Kuta, and Bali Collection in Nusa Dua.

After the 10th series of World Water Forum activities are completed, participants will also be invited to a field trip to enjoy the beauty of Bali such as the Water Museum in Tabanan, Jatiluwih UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lake Batur Kintamani, and Ubud Cultural Village//VOI