VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOInews, Jakarta: Indonesia is making significant strides in its bid to join the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), aiming to enhance its global role and support its Vision 2045 of becoming a high-income nation. Currently undergoing the accession process alongside countries like Argentina, Brazil, and Thailand, Indonesia is conducting a self-assessment of its policies, regulations, and national standards against OECD benchmarks, to be outlined in an Initial Memorandum.  

As part of this process, OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann visited Indonesia from November 25–28, 2024. His visit included a luncheon meeting with Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto on Wednesday, November 27. The discussions covered Indonesia's economic developments under President Prabowo Subianto’s administration and updates on the nation’s OECD membership progress.  

“I would like to thank the OECD for launching the Indonesia Report yesterday. Most of the issues have been reported to the President, and hopefully, some points align with the government’s plans, including the green energy roadmap, energy security, and the free nutritious food program, which is a priority,” said Minister Airlangga.  

Minister Airlangga emphasized Indonesia’s ongoing reforms across various sectors to align with OECD standards. These reforms involve adjustments in budget allocations and organizational structures by relevant ministries. He assured that the OECD task force would promptly adapt its framework to support these changes.  

Secretary-General Cormann acknowledged Indonesia's efforts, highlighting the mutual benefits of its accession. He noted that Indonesia’s pioneering role in the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement offers valuable insights for OECD members. “I believe that together, we can work to further enhance Indonesia’s growth. The accession process spans a wide range of economic, social, and environmental policies, focusing on identifying and applying global best practices,” he stated.  

The Secretary-General also expressed hope that Indonesia’s OECD membership would support its goal of achieving high-income status by 2045. He reiterated that the accession process provides a unique opportunity for Indonesia to refine its policies while contributing valuable lessons to the global community.  

During his visit, Secretary-General Cormann also attended the launch of *The OECD Economic Survey of Indonesia 2024* on November 26. This flagship publication offers a detailed analysis of Indonesia’s economic policies and performance, serving as a critical platform for dialogue between OECD and policymakers worldwide.  

The meeting was attended by prominent officials, including the Deputy Minister of Investment and Downstreaming, the Deputy Minister of National Development Planning, Indonesia's Ambassador to France and UNESCO, and other senior representatives from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and related institutions. Their presence underscored the significance of Indonesia's OECD membership aspirations in shaping its long-term economic trajectory.  

Source: ekon.go.id

FILE PHOTO: Figurines with computers and smartphones are seen in front of the words "Cyber Attack" in this illustration taken, February 19, 2024. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

VOInews, London : Cyberattacks have cost British businesses around 44 billion pounds ($55.08 billion) in lost revenue in the past five years, with 52 per cent of private sector companies reporting at least one attack in that time, insurance broker Howden said on Monday.

Cyberattacks cost businesses 1.9 per cent of their revenue on average, Howden said, with companies generating an annual revenue of over 100 million pounds most likely to suffer an attack.

The most common causes of cyberattacks were compromised emails, at 20 per cent, and data theft, at 18 per cent of cases, Howden said.

However, only 61 per cent of businesses were using anti-virus software and only 55 per cent were using network firewalls, Howden said. Cost and lack of internal IT resources were among factors behind businesses' low level of cybersecurity.

"Cybercrime is on the rise, with malicious actors continuing to take advantage of cybersecurity vulnerabilities, particularly as firms become ever more reliant on technology for their operations," said Sarah Neild, head of UK cyber retail at Howden.

Howden's findings were based on a survey of 905 UK private sector IT decision-makers conducted for the broker by YouGov in September//CNA-VOI

A flag with an eye and writing that reads “Governments, the world is watching, cut plastic production now” is displayed by Greenpeace activists in Busan, South Korea, on Nov 25, 2024, before the opening of the Fifth session of UN Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution (INC-5) at a nearby venue. (Photo: AFP/Anthony Wallace)

VOInews, Baku : A final round of talks on a treaty to end plastic pollution opened on Monday (Nov 25), with deep differences between nations emerging almost immediately.

The meeting opened just hours after a chaotic end to the COP29 climate talks in Baku, which agreed to a boost in climate funding that developing countries slammed as insufficient. Opening the meeting, the Ecuadorian diplomat chairing the talks warned nations that the conference was about "far more than drafting an international treaty".

"It is about humanity rising to meet an existential challenge," Luis Vayas Valdivieso told an opening plenary in South Korea's Busan.

Plastic pollution is so ubiquitous it has been found in clouds, the deepest ocean trenches and even human breastmilk. And while almost everyone agrees it is a problem, there is less consensus on how to solve it.

Among the most contentious issues are whether the treaty should cap plastic production, a possible ban on chemicals feared toxic to human health, and how to pay for implementation. The deep differences have dogged four previous rounds of talks over the last two years, resulting in a lengthy and contradictory draft treaty running over 70 pages.

Valdivieso has produced an alternative document intended to synthesise the views of delegations and move negotiations forward. Several countries, including Russia and India, also warned on Monday that they were not willing to use it as a basis for negotiations.

"The reality is that many countries do not see themselves represented in this paper," warned Saudi Arabia's delegation head Eyad Aljubran, speaking on behalf of the Arab group.

In 2019, the world produced around 460 million tonnes of plastic, a figure that has doubled since 2000, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Plastic production is expected to triple by 2060.

More than 90 per cent of plastic is not recycled, with over 20 million tonnes leaking into the environment, often after just a few minutes of use. Plastic also accounts for around three per cent of global emissions, mostly linked to its production from fossil fuels//CNA-VOI

A working meeting of Commission I of the House of Representatives (DPR) with the defense minister, Indonesian Navy, Indonesian Army, and Indonesian Air Force in Jakarta on Monday (November 25, 2024). (ANTARA/Melalusa Susthira/rst)

VOInews, Jakarta : Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin emphasized the importance of global powers respecting the sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia.

"Indonesia respects the global powers, and they should respect the independence and sovereignty of our country," he noted in a working meeting with Commission I of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) on Monday.

According to the minister, Indonesia is required to play a role in reducing tensions amid the global geopolitical dynamics.

"We are placed to play a part in reducing tensions in the global relations between the United States and China," Sjamsoeddin remarked.

He noted that this was due to Indonesia's non-bloc position that prioritizes peace and always suggests that disputes between nations should end.

However, he emphasized that love for the homeland must still be prioritized at a higher level.

"Indeed, we are a country that loves peace, but we are also a nation that must love our independence. This is the message of our founding fathers when they built our country," he remarked.

The minister explained that his side is monitoring and preparing for various challenges to Indonesia's sovereignty, with particular attention to domestic issues such as the insurgency in Papua.

"We also anticipate threats that can disrupt the national strategy in the context of national economic development," he stated.

The meeting discussed the 100-day work program plan of the Defense Ministry and the readiness ahead of the 2024 Simultaneous Regional Elections//Antara-VOI