Indonesia, UNIDO Collaborate on Nusantara Capital Development

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) conducted the Bridge for Cities Workshop themed "Cities of Tomorrow: Collaborative Strategies for New Cities" in Jakarta on August 12, 2024. This event underscored Indonesia's commitment to developing the Nusantara Capital (IKN) as a symbol of national unity and progress.

As a new hub for economic growth, IKN is envisioned as a green, smart, inclusive, and sustainable metropolis. To achieve this, Indonesia seeks international collaboration to address urban challenges, such as congestion, overpopulation, and pollution.

The workshop brought together 17 international and Indonesian speakers and was attended by 70 participants from various government agencies, universities, NGOs, and research institutions. 

Discussions centered on three primary issues of urban development: economic growth and productivity, environmentally friendly development, and innovative financing.

Tri Tharyat, Director General of Multilateral Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasized that the IKN development requires close cooperation with various parties, including international cooperation, to attract investment and gain knowledge, experience, and best practices in city development. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to strengthen international cooperation to support the development of the IKN,” he remarked.

Jie Zhao, Chief of the Regional Coordination Bureau for Asia-Pacific at UNIDO, commended Indonesia's visionary approach to IKN planning. UNIDO is a UN agency focusing on increasing sustainable industrial capacity.

The Head of the Regional Infrastructure Development Agency of the Ministry of PUPR, who represents the Acting Head of the IKN Authority, highlighted the achievements and rapid progress in IKN’s infrastructure development, including the completion of the Garuda Palace and the Pulau Balang bridge. 

The cooperation between the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and UNIDO in this Workshop was expected to be a strategic starting point that could lead to further, tangible, and impactful collaboration in both IKN's development and joint efforts to address urbanization challenges. Indonesia plans to share its IKN development experiences at the UNIDO headquarters in Vienna in October 2024.

SUCI SEKARWATI

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