INDONESIA TO PUSH FOR SUPPORT FOR ENERGY TRANSITION DURING G20 PRESIDENCY by Fardah

Jakarta, 28/11/2021 (ANTARA) - Energy transition will be a topic of discussion during the Sherpass meeting of the G20, which will be the first activity to be held during Indonesias G20 Presidency.

There will be 11 working groups and 1 initiative under the Sherpa Track, with the first Sherpas' meeting scheduled for December 78, 2021, Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi informed in Jakarta on November 26, 2021.

A green energy transition is crucial for many developing countries, including Indonesia, which has voiced its commitment to helping achieve the target of the Paris Agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The country has pledged to meet its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in 2030 by cutting gas emissions by 29 percent under a business-as-usual scenario or 41 percent with international support.

In fact, Indonesia has created a roadmap for its energy transition to achieve the target of net-zero emissions by 2060, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Arifin Tasrif said recently.



To achieve the target, it has outlined strategies that encompass an extensive development of new and renewable energy and gradual retirement of fossil fuel-fired power plants, in accordance with their age, he informed.

Moreover, the government will, in stages, make optimum use of pump storage, battery energy, storage system (BESS), and hydrogen fuel cells from 2031, he said.

It will also take into account an option for nuclear power plant development in 2045, with a plan to boost capacity by up to 35 gigawatts by 2060, he added.

In addition, it will increase network reliability by building intra- and inter-insular connections and developing smart grids and smart meters, he disclosed.

We will also push for the use of electric vehicles, with the target of stopping the sales of conventional motorcycles by 2040 and conventional cars by 2050 and provide massive public transportation modes, the minister said.

On November 20, 2021, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said that the energy transition from fossil energy to green energy can no longer be delayed.

He urged state oil and gas company PT Pertamina and state electricity company PT PLN to use their time as efficiently as possible to strengthen the foundation for the energy transition.

Protecting Indonesia's geoparks means preserving nature, culture by Fardah

Jakarta, Nov 25 , 2021 (Antara)-  A geopark is not just a geological park, Guy Martini, president of the Global Geoparks Council of the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization ), once said.

This is because a geopark has meaning and functions beyond a geological park. It serves as a link between the geological heritage and all other aspects of an area’s natural and cultural heritage. It aims to reconnect human society with the planet and celebrate how the Earth, and its 4,600-million-year-long history, has shaped every aspect of people's lives and societies.

The presence of geoparks helps preserve nature and culture and improve the economy as well as contribute to the prosperity of local communities.

Indonesia sees huge potential in developing cooperation between nations having geoparks in order to support nature and cultural conservation efforts, develop the creative economy, and promote the tourism industry.

No less than 110 Indonesian regions can potentially be developed into geoparks, officials have said. Currently, Indonesia has at least 15 national geoparks, including 6 that have been included on the UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGp) list.

The six geoparks are Batur in Bali, Ciletuh-Pelabuhanratu in West Java, Gunung Sewu in Yogyakarta, Rinjani in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), Toba Calderas in North Sumatra, and Belitong in Bangka Belitung Province, Sumatra Island.

Speaking at a virtual conference on Indonesia's national geoparks on November 22, 2021, President Joko Widodo reminded all stakeholders and the public to protect the country’s geoparks, and prevent them from getting damaged and overexploited.

A geopark is a place to learn and preserve the wealth and biodiversity of Indonesia, according to Widodo.

"Please protect our geological wealth by preserving the geological heritage and the values in it, such as the archaeological, ecological, historical, and cultural values, so that they can continue to be passed on to the future generations," he said.

Geoparks might fit in with a tourism trend that has emerged during the pandemic, which is prioritizing ecotourism and wellness tourism, he added.

He called for a good management system for geoparks that balances nature conservation and economic interests. The formulation of the management system must involve environmental activists, academics, and local communities, he said.

Indonesia Pavilion entices visitors to experience Land of Diversity by Fardah

Jakarta, Nov 24, 2021 (Antara) The Indonesia Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai has whetted the curiosity of thousands of visitors about the Southeast Asian country, prompting them to learn more about the archipelago, including its culture, arts, culinary products, and investment opportunities.

The Trade Ministry has set a target of attracting at least 10 percent of visitors at the international expo, which is being held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and is hoping to receive around 25 million people from October 1, 2021 until March 31, 2022.

The Indonesia Pavilion is among the most popular at the international exhibition, with the number of visitors to the pavilion reaching the 200 thousand-mark on November 2, 2021, according to Trade Minister Muhammad Lutfi.

Children, in particular, are coming to the pavilion to see exotic animal species such as the komodo dragons and rhinoceros projected on the screen at the pavilion's Today Zone, Lutfi noted.

Children are also keen to see Indonesian kids dressed in traditional attire and reciting an oath to protect the Earth in several languages, such as Arabic, Indonesian, English, Chinese, French, Spanish, Russian, German, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, and Korean, he said.

"Visitors to the Indonesia Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai are offered to catch a glimpse of Indonesia by experiencing and witnessing its civilization, development, and opportunities. This is important, as we are aiming to showcase Indonesia's important role in global development in the past, present, and the future," Lutfi remarked at the pavilion on November 3, a day prior to the inauguration of the Indonesia National Day by President Joko Widodo in Dubai.