BALI, INDONESIA, Dec 9, 2022 – (ACN Newswire) – Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, RetnoMarsudi, said that democracy is considered to be able to help not only Indonesia but also the world leaders, in facing the challenges in the coming year.

Democratic leadership is urgently needed from leaders around the world to direct sustainable recovery by reaching out to the people most affected by the pandemic and other crises caused by geopolitical turmoil, Marsudi stated at the 15th Bali Democracy Forum (BDF) meeting in Nusa Dua, Bali, Thursday (Dec 8).

Marsudi officially opened the meeting, which was attended by 323 participants from 112 countries and five international organizations, with 52 of them attending virtually. "With democracy, freedom of expression and conveying aspirations is also guaranteed, and space for effective dialogue and decision-making is also possible because of checks and balances," Marsudi said.

While citing data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) that show 4.15 million productive workers are still affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, she emphasized that the principle of solidarity is very much needed in promoting an inclusive recovery. In this recovery effort, she emphasized that no party should be left behind. Democracy is the choice of the Indonesian people and has proven to play an important role in advancing peace, stability, and prosperity.

Additionally, the Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, acknowledged that democracy is currently experiencing a setback. Therefore, democracy needs to be defended and strengthened. "In a time of turmoil, tension, and chaos, divisions are widening, and people are hurting, democracy is declining, and civil society is shrinking," he said. Hence, the world community is obliged to act by defending and strengthening democracy.

He highlighted the importance of promoting the rule of law and the universal nature of all types of basic human rights, including economic, social, political, civil and cultural aspects. Therefore, it is necessary to uphold the democratic principles of inclusivity and dialogue because they are the foundation of a renewed social contract and the key to lasting peace, as well as stability and sustainable development.

Meanwhile, global solidarity is also needed to ensure that all people, wherever they are, can have the necessary resources and support to invest in society and their future, he added.

Minister Marsudi again said in her speech that democracy is not a goal, but a way to achieve a goal. "Then, the future of democracy will really depend on us, whether we will continue to support or give up on democracy," she said. Minister then emphasized that Indonesia is sticking to efforts to maintain the spirit of democracy and strengthen the foundations of democracy.

The Bali Democracy Forum is a cross-country forum in the Asia Pacific region that emphasizes democracy issues. The BDF 2022 has the theme 'Democracy in a Changing World: Leadership and Solidarity'. This theme underscores the importance of leadership and solidarity as part of the pillars of democracy in the midst of world turmoil due to geopolitical and economic crises. Since it was first held in 2008 until now, BDF has presented many diplomatic representatives from countries as well as experts.

–Antara

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Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Nov 15, 2022 – (ACN Newswire) – The statement was delivered by President Joko Widodo during the closing ceremony of the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits and Related Summits at Sokha Hotel, Phnom Penh, Sunday, (Nov 13).

Indonesia takes over the ASEAN chairmanship from Cambodia and will hold the chairmanship in 2023.

Prime Minister Hun Sen hands a gavel to Indonesian President Joko Widodo, a gesture symbolizing the handover of the ASEAN chairmanship on November 13, 2022

It is an honor for Indonesia to be the Chair of ASEAN in 2023, President Jokowi said.

According to Jokowi, ASEAN must be a stable and peaceful region, and an anchor for world stability.

The organization must also consistently enforce international law and not be a proxy for anyone, he said adding that ASEAN must be a dignified region, and uphold human values and democracy.

The President also wants ASEAN to become a fast-growing, inclusive, and sustainable economic region.

He noted that capacity building of ASEAN institutions must also be a concern in order to be able to answer the challenges of the next 20 years.

The President hopes that by 2045 ASEAN must be more adaptive, responsive, and competitive.

All of this must be fought for the ASEAN way, which is in line with the spirit of cooperation and the full implementation of the ASEAN Charter.

The President invited all ASEAN leaders to attend the ASEAN Summit in Indonesia next year.

Meanwhile, Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi said Indonesia's chairmanship of ASEAN in 2023 took the theme "ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth".

Indonesia wants ASEAN to remain important and relevant to make ASEAN matters. Important and relevant inward for its people, as well as important and relevant outward for Indo-Pacific region and the World.

With this premise, the chairmanship of Indonesia will take the theme ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth.

The Foreign Minister said ASEAN has three pillars of cooperation namely the political- security pillar, the economic pillar, and the sociocultural pillar.

During the chairmanship, the handling of the political-security pillars will be coordinated by the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs and the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

The economic pillar will be coordinated by the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, and the socio-cultural pillar by the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture.

Next year, the first activity will be a Foreign Ministers Meeting in the form of a retreat which will be held in January.

In order to maximize the use of the ASEAN Secretariat building, most meetings at the technical level will be held at the ASEAN Secretariat, Jakarta.

The new ASEAN Secretariat building has adequate meeting rooms and is very suitable to be used for ASEAN meetings.

Retno hopes Indonesia's chairmanship in ASEAN will be able to bring benefits not only to the people of Indonesia but also to the people of ASEAN and the world.

–Antara

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Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia, Nov 7, 2022 – (ACN Newswire) – The Directorate General of Immigration and PT Surabaya Industrial Estate Rungkut (SIER) Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia, held a coaching clinic to provide information on second-home visas to foreign investors and consul generals from several countries this week.

The participants of the Coaching Clinic on Immigration Services and Second-Home Visa Assistance, which was held in Surabaya on Thursday (November 3, 2022), included British Prosperity Honorary Consul for Surabaya and East Java Ivy Kamadjaja; Honorary Consul of the Federal Republic of Germany Christopher Tjokrosetio; Honorary Consul of Australia Anthony Clark; and Consul General of Japan in Surabaya Takeyama Kenichi.

The coaching clinic aimed to make it easier for foreign businesses to understand the immigration service reform initiated by the Indonesian government, acting director general of immigration at the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, Widodo Ekatjahjana, said in a statement issued on Friday.

SIER, which was the first industrial area in Indonesia used by the Directorate General of Immigration as a venue for the coaching clinic, has many tenants and investors from abroad who require easy, fast, and friendly immigration services.

So, we met directly with foreign investors in this industrial area of SIER. Through this coaching clinic, we are trying to bring services closer. If there are complaints, we provide immediate solutions," Ekatjahjana informed.

He said that he wants the immigration service reform to cover not only administrative matters, but also have an impact on the convenience and ease of investment, which, in the end, could create more jobs.

Through the second-home visa policy, which aims to attract investment in the country, foreign investors who put their money and create jobs will be able to stay longer in Indonesia.

According to Ekatjahjana, the targets of the second-home visa are certain foreigners or ex-citizens who want to stay and contribute positively to the Indonesian economy.

The visa will allow foreigners to stay in the country for five to 10 years and carry out various activities, such as investment and tourism.

"Submitting an application is very easy through a website-based application visa-online.imigrasi.go.id. There are several document requirements that must be submitted if you want to get this second-home visa," he informed.

The documentary requirements include a national passport that is valid for a minimum of 36 months, proof of funds in the form of an account belonging to a foreigner or guarantor with a value of at least Rp2 billion or equivalent, recent color photographs, and a curriculum vitae.

The non-tax state revenue rate (PNBP) for second-home visas is Rp3 million, in accordance with the provisions in the Minister of Finance's Regulation No. 2 of 2022.

Payments for second-home visas can be made outside the territory of Indonesia through the available PNBP payment portals.

"This policy will be effective 60 days after the circular letter was issued, namely on October 25, 2022. This immigration policy is one of the non-fiscal incentives that can be a stimulus for certain foreigners to stay and contribute positively to the Indonesian economy in the midst of global economic conditions that are challenging (and) more dynamic," Ekatjahjana said.

Meanwhile, the president director of PT SIER, Didik Prasetiyono, said that the Directorate General of Immigration's innovation involving the launch of the second-home visa is a breakthrough that will provide convenience to foreign investors.

For this reason, he said he hopes that it will attract more foreign investors to invest in Indonesia, especially in the SIER Surabaya and PIER Pasuruan industrial areas.

"Next year, we will be overshadowed by a global recession that has the potential to lead to a food, energy, and financial crisis so all countries will need investment. All countries will compete to attract investment. And, it must be remembered: investors' decisions to invest are not only based on economic value, but also factors that support comfort trying, including the matter of immigration services," Prasetiyono highlighted.

"Of course, this policy will be welcomed by our tenants who come from abroad. SIER currently accommodates more than 200 companies. In SIER, 70 percent of them are tenants from foreign investment. Among them are from Japan, the United States, Australia, China, France, South Korea, Singapore, England, Germany, the Netherlands, and India," he added.

Japanese Consul General Kenichi said that he is very happy with the second-home visa policy as many Japanese citizens are keen to live in Indonesia after retirement.

"This is good news that we have heard. With the second-home visa, Japanese people who have retired can stay longer in Indonesia. So far, many have lived in Bali. But I do not know the exact number. But many want to stay in Indonesia after they retire," he added.

Written by: Abdul Hakim, Yashinta Difa, Editor: Rahmad Nasution (c) ANTARA 2022
Source article: https://en.antaranews.com/news/258597/second-home-visa-introduced-to-foreign-investors-by-immigration-sier

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JAKARTA, Oct 23, 2022 – (ACN Newswire) – The High-level Intergovermental Meeting on The Final Review of The Asian and Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities (HLIGM APDPD) was closed with the Jakarta Declaration agreement, which marked the start of the fourth decade of Asia and Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities.

"Today is the last day and the high-level meeting between governments in the Asia Pacific was closed and we are making the Jakarta Declaration 2023-2032 which will be followed up by members, accelerated and implemented," said Indonesian Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini in Jakarta.

The Jakarta Declaration is expected to be able to reaffirm the commitment of the governments of Asia Pacific countries in realizing the Incheon Strategy, which was initiated ten years ago.

The Jakarta Declaration has six resolutions. One of the priority issues is the alignment of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) at the level of legislation.

According to Risma, harmonization of legislation is the toughest challenge for the Indonesian government because it has three levels of government, namely, the central government, provincial government and regency/city government.

Meanwhile, Under-Secretary-General United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, said although the implementation of the CRPD making progress, people with disabilities in the Asia Pacific region face obstacles in education, work, decision making, and many other aspects.

Therefore he invites UNESCAP members to strengthen new partnerships with disability organizations, the private sector, United Nations entities and the others to create a comprehensive community approach.

Armida hopes that people with disabilities can participate in all policies and programs related to disability actively and significantly, in line with the spirit of 'nothing without us about us'.

HLIGM APDPD was held on a hybrid basis during 19 – 21 October 2022 and was attended by delegates from 53 member states, 9 association member, observer countries, UN agencies, and civil society organizations.

See the original article: https://en.antaranews.com/news/256377/
Written by: PR Wire, Editor: PR Wire (c) ANTARA 2022

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JAKARTA, Oct 20, 2022 – (ACN Newswire) – The High-Level Intergovermental Meeting on the Final Review of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities (HLIGM-FRPD), has started this morning at Fairmont Hotel, Jakarta, Wednesday (19/10). The meeting took place hybrid from 19 to 21 October, and attended by 53 member states of the United Nations of Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and 9 associated members.

Representing the President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo, the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy was present to open the meeting officially. In his speech, Muhadjir emphasized the commitment and strong support of Indonesian government in fulfilling and protecting the rights of persons with disabilities. "This can be seen in the implementation of policies and programs related to the persons with disabilities," said Muhadjir Effendy.

On her keynote speech, Executive Secretary of UNESCAP and Under Secretary General of the UN, Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana expressed her appreciation to Indonesian government for organizing this event, especially for the Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini.

Armida stated that the aims of this conference were to review, assess the progress of the Incheon strategy implementation, after 10 years. The second, to build on the commitment of ESCAP members to improve accessibility for persons with disabilities, including access to inclusive public transportation and social rehabilitation efforts that have been carried out.

The third aim is to make some recommendations of future plans that mark the 4th decade of 2023 to 2032 which will be formulated as the Jakarta Declaration.

On the same occasion, Social Affairs Minister Risma delivered a country statement, emphasizing that Indonesian government has taken concrete steps in fulfilling and protecting disability rights, as evidenced by the issuance of Law No. 8/2016 on Persons with Disabilities.

"With this provision, it marks an important movement in Indonesia from placing persons with disabilities as objects of assistance recipients, to becoming subjects who have rights and are actively involved in making decisions related to their own needs," said the Minister of Social Affairs.

Implementation and Evaluation of Respect, Protection and Fulfillment of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at the national and regional levels, the government also prioritizes persons with disabilities in a policy for a period of 25 years or known as the National Master Plan for Persons with Disabilities, followed by the National Action Plan on Human Rights.

Government Regulation 70 of 2019 on planning, implementation and evaluation of respect, protection and fulfillment of the rights of persons with disabilities.

"Recently, Indonesia also passed Law No. 12 of 2022 on the Crime of Sexual Violence as legal protection for women and children from all forms of sexual violence with a 1/3 heavier penalty if the victim is a person with a disability," said Risma.

To further empower and protect persons with disabilities and create an inclusive society, Indonesia launched Indonesia Visualize, Indonesia Hear, and Indonesia Take Steps programs. "Through these programs, accessibility and mobility tools are distributed and cataract surgery and physical therapy are carried out by campaigns to raise awareness in inclusion and capacity building," said Minister Risma.

In 2021, the Ministry of Social Affairs has distributed 6,581 units of assistive devices, consisting of 757 units of electric wheelchairs, 354 units of commercial tricycle motorbikes, 5,420 units of adaptive sticks, and 50 units of blind water sensors. "Meanwhile, in 2022, it is targeted that 10,000 aid tools can be distributed," added the Minister.

The Government of Indonesia is also increasing its commitment through patented innovations and assistive technology technologies such as the Smart Blind Stick, and incorporating the values of gender equality, disability, and social inclusion (GEDSI) into its universal designs.

In her statement, the Minister of Social Affairs also emphasized Indonesia's commitment and concrete steps in overcoming stocks. In response to the high prevalence of stocks for persons with disabilities, several efforts have been made, including enforcing laws that prohibit stocks and educating families and communities.

To protect persons with disabilities from the COVID 19 pandemic, the government launched protection programs such as Family Hope Program (PKH), Conditional Cash Assistance, ATENSI program, food assistance, health insurance, house renovation for the elderly with disabilities and other inclusive social assistance.

Protection against natural disasters, the government formulates regulations on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) that are inclusive at the national and regional levels. "Some of the best practices of disability-inclusive DRR can be seen from Disaster Preparedness Village and Disaster Resilient Village Program, which involves persons with disabilities as disaster volunteers such as Difagana (Disaster Voluntary Workers with Disabilities) and the formulation of technical guidelines for disaster management in sign language for the deaf," said Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini.

To increase economic independence, Indonesia strengthens skills development, entrepreneurship training and provides accessibility/mobility tools needed by persons with disabilities to carry out their entrepreneurial activities.

"In addition, access to employment opportunities is also enhanced through the Inclusive Public-Private Partnership. It is proven that there has been an increase in income from social-inclusive entrepreneurial activities for persons with disabilities," she said.

Indonesia recognizes that there are still a lot of work to do. Next, it will focus on improving the monitoring and evaluation of measurable-based policies and programs, roadmaps to adaptive social protection, more accountable disaggregated data, meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in DRR and economic empowerment, and global partnerships in humanitarian nexuses.

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