Jakarta, Jubi/Antara – Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno LP Marsudi said Indonesia had received many requests for capacity building programs from 42 countries.
“We get about 303 requests on capacity building programs from 42 countries,” Foreign Minister Retno said in a speech opening the the 2015 South – South Cooperation Forum Building Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jakarta last week.
According to her, requests for assistance for capacity development programs mostly came from East Timor, Palestine, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Pacific countries, and African countries.
Foreign Minister also said that from 1999 to 2015 Indonesia has around 32 partners in the development of triangular cooperation scheme (three sides) and held around 400 training programs with 4,400 participants from developing countries in Asia, the Pacific, Africa, and Latin America.
Capacity building programs are focused on entrepreneurship, (UKM), health, fisheries, agriculture, disaster risk management, and training for law enforcement.
“During my visit recently to the Solomon Islands, Fiji and Papua New Guinea, I had the opportunity to witness a variety of capacity building programs. And I will push for concrete measures in the future, “she said.
She also expressed her appreciation for the active participation of partner countries that took part in the capacity building program of Indonesia.
“In addition, capacity building program should be in line with national development priorities of each country,” she added.
On that occasion, he also said South – South Cooperation forum is not a substitute for North-South cooperation. In fact, the South-South cooperation and North-South should be complementary.
“I believe Indonesia has witnessed that South-South cooperation and North-South cooperation has helped us to achieve global prosperity,” he said.
On that occasion, the Foreign Minister also said that the Conference of the Asia-Africa-60 on April 19 to 24 will be appointed the theme “Advancing South-South Cooperation” (Strengthening South-South Cooperation) as part of the contribution for peace and prosperity the world. (*)