Weekend Talk -
The National Library of Indonesia held an event entitled "Weekend Talk" on Saturday (27/05/23) in Jakarta. During the event, a book entitled "Clashing the Waves Through the Clouds" by Rosihan Arsyad and Monica Anggreni shared stories about their daily lives as pilots and commercial pilots.
Deputy for Development of Library Materials and Information Services at the National Library, Mariana Ginting, said reading, thinking, writing and creating activities are interconnected cycles. Books as a product of the creative process become a trigger in encouraging the strengthening of community literacy.
"This work presented at least contributes in terms of the availability of literature and alternative reading sources," added Mariana.
In a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Saturday, seaman pilot (Purn) Rear Admiral Rosihan Arsyad and captain pilot Monica Anggreni proved that anyone can do writing regardless of their professional background.
The literacy weekend which has been held for the fifth time is a book talk activity in collaboration with music and literacy with a gathering-style concept.
"The theme of the talk was chosen so that it is not too serious. It is hoped that many parties will follow in their footsteps to write and share knowledge," concluded the CHI leader, (Purn) Marshal TNI Chappy Hakim// VOI
IOM and BPS meeting on Wednesday (24/05/23) -
Jakarta - The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), today held a meeting between ministries and agencies to develop a roadmap for One International Migration Data or SDMI, in Jakarta. The meeting was opened by the Director of Population and Employment Statistics, Ali Said, and was attended by around 100 participants coming from various ministries and government agencies, local governments, UN organizations, and non-governmental organizations related to migration. This coordination meeting is part of the collaboration between IOM and BPS in facilitating the continued design and implementation of SDMI.
Initiated by BPS since 2019, SDMI was formed to be able to support the preparation and implementation of policies and programs related to migration that are more targeted, as well as encourage the positive impacts and minimize the negative impacts of migration. SDMI is also expected to be able to contribute in measuring Indonesia's achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the goals of the Global Compact for Migration (GCM), as well as realizing the protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI), in accordance with Law no. 18 of 2017.
SDMI is also expected to be able to contribute to the achievement of the current National Medium Term Development Plan (RPJMN), as well as in the preparation of the National Long Term Development Plan (RPJPN) and the next RPJMN which will be updated in 2025.
"I believe that with strong cooperation between ministries and agencies, we can produce a solid and comprehensive framework to achieve One Indonesian Data and One International Migration Data will be one of the important efforts in making it happen. HRI is expected to be a reference for making policies and programs related to international migration," said Ali Said.
According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Wednesday, IOM, the United Nations (UN) agency for migration affairs, has been supporting many countries in the world in increasing the capacity and management of migration data as stated in IOM's Global Strategy on Migration Data. Joshua Hart, as IOM Indonesia's Senior Program Coordinator conveyed IOM's support to the Government of Indonesia in implementing data and evidence-based migration policies.
“It is very important for us to understand that data is “more than just numbers”.Data plays an important role to improve the lives of migrants. Data can be used to identify challenges, design responses, monitor policy implementation, and evaluate the impact of migration policies," said Joshua.
Apart from being one of the highest sending countries for migrant workers in Asia, Indonesia is also a migration destination country. Every year, around 150,000 – 250,000 Indonesian migrant workers (PMI) work abroad. Meanwhile, there are around 100,000-200,000 foreign workers currently working in Indonesia and there are approximately 13,000 refugees and asylum seekers from abroad who are in Indonesia waiting for a long-term solution to the situation they are facing.
At the global level, Indonesia is also one of the 33 leading countries (Champion Country) for the implementation of the Global Agreement on Migration which was adopted in 2018 by 163 countries in the world, where one of the objectives of the GCM is to improve migration policies based on data and evidence.
The HRI Roadmap or Roadmap that will be prepared in the next few months is expected to support the Government of Indonesia in identifying strategies, priorities, challenges, and needs in designing, implementing, and monitoring the operationalization of SDMI.
The process of preparing the Road Map will include reviewing literature and good practices from other countries, interviews, workshops, as well as focus group discussions with various relevant ministries and institutions at the national and regional levels.
Organizing coordination meetings and preparing the SDMI Roadmap is carried out through the Asia Regional Migration Program which is being implemented by IOM in 12 countries, including Indonesia, with support from the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, Ministry of Foreign Affairs United States of America. The main objective of this program is to enhance the capability of governments in the Asian Region in sustainable and humane migration management//VOI
Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Menko Marves) Luhut B. Pandjaitan meeting with Zhejiang University -
In September 2020, the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Kemenko Marves) together with the International Cooperation Center of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the Development of a Research and Innovation Center for Conservation of China-Indonesian Medicinal Plants. The agreement involves Zhejiang University and has resulted in research collaboration and capacity building.
To monitor the progress of this collaboration, on Monday (22-05-2023) the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Menko Marves) Luhut B. Pandjaitan held a meeting with Zhejiang University. One of the aspects discussed in the previously signed MoU was the establishment of Herbal Centers and the development of agriculture through the Horticulture Herbal Technology Science Park (TSTH2) and Food Estates in North Sumatra, Central Kalimantan and Central Sulawesi.
The NDRC has appointed Zhejiang University as a partner in this matter. "Zhejiang University has advantages in the field of agriculture with superior universities and industries. Therefore, we hope that this collaboration can encourage related sectors," said Coordinating Minister Luhut.
Currently, the government is building various supporting facilities for TSTH2, such as agricultural and medicinal plant research laboratories, dormitories, smart green houses, and laboratory equipment. IT Del, appointed by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology, is collaborating with Zhejiang University in managing TSTH2. In addition, Tsinghua University's Tsinghua Southeast Asia Center will also support capacity building for students and educators.
In this meeting, Coordinating Minister Luhut asked Zhejiang University and the NDRC to implement the existing MoU and immediately take follow-up steps. Several representatives from the NDRC and the Embassy of the People's Republic of China for Indonesia visited TSTH2 located in North Sumatra and had discussions with IT Del.
"The research plan has been formulated in a roadmap. The proposal has been made by IT Del together with leading universities in Indonesia and several other agencies," said Coordinating Minister Luhut.
According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Tuesday, in the proposal, Indonesia submits further research on genomic and plant breeding, especially jernang (dragon blood), turmeric, and frankincense. However, commodity options can be further discussed between the two parties.
"We hope that this research will produce concrete things and Indonesian President Joko Widodo can sign a memorandum of understanding during his visit this year," hoped Coordinating Minister Luhut.
For information, during the 2022 G20 Summit, Indonesia and China also signed an MoU on the Development of the Center for Research and Innovation for Conservation of China-Indonesia Medicinal Plants. This MoU was signed by the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment and the NDRC and witnessed by President Joko Widodo and President Xi Jinping//VOI
The wind turbine at the open sea of British Governmetn to run electricity power -
British International Investment (BII), the UK’s development finance institution and impact investor, announced a $15 million (over IDR 200 billion) commitment in Southeast Asia including Indonesia to provide investment capital needed to boost clean and sustainable economic growth as well as green energy transition. This commitment is a great step towards UK’s support on Indonesia Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) which was launched last year at G20 in Bali.
BII’s first investment in the region is expected to attract more capital to support Indonesia in reaching net zero emissions by 2060. This commitment will be implemented through SUSI Asia Energy Transition Fund (SAETF), a Southeast Asia-focused energy transition infrastructure fund managed by Swiss-based firm SUSI Partners, with a proven track record of investing globally across the energy transition infrastructure spectrum.
In Indonesia, the firm has invested in the development of run-of-river hydropower and wind projects via a joint venture between SAETF and regional developer Pacific Impact. It reiterates the renewed approach to investing in climate finance in Indonesia as one of BII’s priority markets in Southeast Asia.
The investment marks the start of realising BII’s ambitions to invest up to £500 million of climate finance in the Indo-Pacific region. Furthermore, with this commitment, BII joins other development finance institutions, including AIIB, FMO, Swedfund, Norfund, and OeEB, as well as private investors in backing SAETF. SAETF targets infrastructure investments across the energy transition spectrum, including renewable energy, energy efficiency and energy storage projects and focuses on emerging economies in Southeast Asia, including Indonesia.
According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Tuesday, the Fund will contribute to global climate mitigation goals and the Paris Agreement by financing clean energy solutions, increasing the supply of reliable and affordable electricity for businesses and consumers, and enabling access to clean energy solutions in underserved areas.
To address the growing energy demand and reduce dependence on fossil fuel generation, Indonesia has already committed to reaching net zero emissions by 2060 or before. The region’s sustainability ambitions require at least $200 billion of energy sector investment by 2030, of which over three-quarters needs to be channeled into clean energy. 1 Consequently, BII’s investment is also aimed at attracting further commercial investors to unleash climate finance opportunities and support green, resilient economic growth in the region including Indonesia.
“In the margin of G20 Leaders Summit in Bali last year, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak joined other world leaders to launch Indonesia Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP). This country-led partnership will not only help Indonesia pursue an accelerated just energy transition, away from fossil fuels and towards renewable sources, but will also help support economic growth, new skilled jobs, reduced pollution and a resilient, prosperous future for Indonesians. “I am delighted to see British International Investment’s extended offering to the Indo- Pacific region as this investment will also support Indonesia to accelerate its transition away from coal as part of the country’s commitment to its 2060 net zero target. The UK remains committed to work in partnership with" British Ambassador to Indonesia and Timor Leste Owen Jenkins said//VOI