VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

First information is from Russia.

As many as 14 new students from Papua, Indonesia have arrived in Russia to study through the Russian Government's scholarship program. Their arrival was welcomed by the staff of Indonesian Embassy in Moscow and the Indonesian Student Association in Russia (Permira) on Friday (10/25/2019). These students will study in various cities and colleges in Russia. Apart from Moscow, some of them study at Kaliningrad, Tula, St. Petersburg, Kazan, Orel, Voronezh, Volgograd, Petrozavodsk, Cherepovetsk, and Tomsk in western Siberia, Russia. The courses taken by them are diverse, both S1 and S2 programs, such as Environmental Engineering, Chemistry, International Relations, Political Science, Educational Science, Theology, Psychology, Museums and Culture, and Anthropology. In the first year, they will deepen Russian language in preparation faculties according to their respective majors. Indonesian Deputy Chief Representative in Russia and Belarus, Azis Nurwahyudi expressed joy and pride at the arrival of the Papuan students in Russia. In the meeting with the students, Azis stated, these students are also diplomats who promote the nation and state of Indonesia abroad, especially Russia.

Next information is from Azerbaijan.

The Indonesian delegation attended the Ministerial Meeting (PTM) of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in Baku, Azerbaijan. The meeting was attended by more than 46 NAM member countries from Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe and Latin America on 23-24 of October. This meeting is a preparatory meeting for the NAM Summit.

During the opening session, Venezuelan Foreign Minister, Mr. Jorge Arreaza handed over the chairmanship of the NAM to the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister, Mr. Elmar Mammadyarov. Representing the Indonesian Delegation, Indonesian Ambassador to the Republic of Azerbaijan, Prof. Dr. H. Husnan Bey Fananie emphasized the importance of the principle of multilateralism. According to him, NAM member countries must unite to find solutions to global issues. Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Ministerial Meeting in Baku, Azerbaijan succeeded in approving Non-Aligned Movement - NAM Final Document which will subsequently be adopted at the next Non-Aligned Movement Summit.

The last information is from the United States.

Technological progress in a bid to alleviate poverty is a matter of high concern to Indonesia today. This is based on the use of digital technology in various aspects of life, where the United Nations (UN) and its member countries, including Indonesia, are trying to optimize technology in achieving sustainable development.

Indonesia in the "Emerging Models of Economic Activities: Implications for Sustainable Development" at Committee II of the UN General Assembly (24/10) emphasized that the role of the creative economy is very important to open new opportunities for poverty alleviation and achieve sustainable development efforts in this digital era.

Mohammad Koba, Indonesia's Permanent Deputy to the United Nations in New York said that the digital economy is closely related to the creative economy; both of which are sources of creativity and innovation. The creative economy is also related to the green economy to create environmentally friendly innovation.

The Indonesian delegation attended the Ministerial Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in Baku, Azerbaijan on October 23-24. The meeting was attended by more than forty-six NAM member countries from Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe and Latin America. The Ministerial Meeting was a preparatory meeting for the Non-Aligned Movement Summit held in Baku, Azerbaijan on the 25-26 October 2019.

As quoted on page kemlu.go.id, representing the Indonesian Delegation on the occasion, Indonesian Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Husnan Bey Fananie emphasized the importance of the principle of multilateralism. He viewed that the NAM member states must unite to find solutions to global issues. The Indonesian delegation also called for the importance of NAM reforms in strengthening work effectiveness and the NAM response in the challenges of the contemporary world.

The meeting successfully approved the Non-Aligned Movement Final Document which will then be adopted at the NAM Summit meeting. After more than 5 years, ASEAN has finally succeeded in updating the paragraph on the South China Sea in the NAM Final Document.

In the opening session, Venezuelan Foreign Minister, Jorge Arreaza handed over the position of chairman of the Non-Aligned Movement to Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister, Elmar Mammadyarov. In his opening remarks, Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said that it’s important to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the sovereign state. Furthermore, he emphasized the importance of upholding the principles of Dasasila Bandung as a basis for the NAM movement. The main issues discussed by member countries are about international and regional peace and security, support for Palestinian independence, the importance of international cooperation and the philosophy of multi-lateralism, climate change, and the Sustainable Development Agenda.

Coinciding with the commemoration of the Youth Pledge on October 28, on Monday afternoon local time, President Joko Widodo inaugurated Youtefa Bridge in Jayapura City, Papua. The name ‘Youtefa’ was taken at the request of the local customary community because the bridge is above the Youtefa Bay.

In his welcoming address, President Joko Widodo said that this bridge becomes a milestone in Papua, which is not only a major symbol of unifying the nation, but also a symbol of the importance of progress towards developing Papua.

The Youtefa Bridge was built in 2015. President Joko Widodo laid the first stone to mark the beginning of the construction of the bridge with 732 meters long and 21 meters wide. This development spent around Rp1.8 trillion. The bridge connects the main area of Jayapura City with Muara Tami District. The budget fund for building the bridge was spent from both the central and regional governments. The composition of the financing is a symbol of good synergy between the central and regional governments. Now, Papua has a new icon, Youtefa Bridge. This bridge with characteristic red curved poles can be an amazing attraction for tourists. In addition, this bridge can also boost economic relations between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, which so far has been through Skouw Cross-border Post (PLBN) located in Muara Tami.

The Youtefa Bridge is a form of the commitment of President Joko Widodo's administration in building infrastructure in Papua. Although there have been security disturbances in Papua lately, which has attracted international attention and criticism of his government, President Joko Widodo has repeated the commitment in the second term of his administration. Papua becomes the first location he visited after his inauguration as president for the 2019-2024 term with Vice President Ma'ruf Amin. It is hoped that with the operation of the Youtefa Bridge, the mobility of both people and goods of Papua can run smoothly and Papua can catch up with the advanced regions in Indonesia.

After being inaugurated along with 33 other ministers, Minister of State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Erick Thohir immediately took over the position from the previous Minister, Rini Soemarno in a ceremony at the SOE Ministry in Jakarta last Wednesday. Erick Thohir said afterwards, he would conduct a total evaluation of SOEs in the framework of professionalism and create a good and healthy climate.

Erick Thohir, who has a business background, is also ready to clean up in order to find positive things in order to build and synergize SOEs.

Meanwhile former SOE Minister Rini Soemarno reminded the new Minister to complete the SOE holding company formation program which is part of the president's unfinished program.

Indonesia currently has 115 SOEs. President Joko Widodo often stated that too many SOEs is inefficient. Therefore, the president encouraged state-owned enterprises engaged in the same field to join and form a holding company.

According to Rini Soemarno, the holding companies will eventually form a super holding, such as Temasek in Singapore.

In addition, she also entrusted Minister Erick Thohir to maintain the togetherness and synergy among SOEs, so they remain strong and not become weak due to competing with each other.

Furthermore, Rini Soemarno also instructed SOE Minister Erick Thohir to continue the SOE function in accordance with the mandate of the SOE Act to encourage people's economy. Therefore there are many SOE programs to improve the ability of micro, super micro and small businesses.

Erick Thohir acknowledged that the task of SOEs is very heavy because it is not only demanded as a profit-oriented corporation, but also acts as a locomotive for Indonesia's development. Erick Thohir also wants SOEs, Regionally Owned Enterprises (BUMD) and the private sector not only to excel domestically but also to be able to penetrate the global level.

According to Erick Thohir, this could be achieved if all parties had the same mission to make Indonesia progress in accordance with the name of the new Cabinet “Forward Indonesia”.