AMBASSADOR’S MESSAGE
I ndonesia is the largest archipelago in the world to form a single state. The Indonesian archipelago forms a crossroad between two oceans, the Pacific and Indian oceans, and a bridge between two continents, Asia and Australia. Because of its strategic position, therefore, Indonesia’s cultural, social, political and economic patterns have always been conditioned by its geographical position. Indonesia, the largest archipelago in the world to form a single state, consists of five main islands and some 30 smaller archipelagoes, totaling about 17,508 islands and islets of which about 6,000 are inhabited. Its estimated total area is 9.8 million sq. km. (including Exclusive Economic Zone - EEZ), which consists of a land territory of 1.9 million sq. km. and a sea territory of 7.9 million sq. km. Indonesia’s five main islands are: Sumatra, about 473,606 sq. km in size; Java, 132,187 sq. km, the most fertile and densely populated island; Kalimantan or two-thirds of the island of Borneo, measuring 539,460 sq. km.; Sulawesi, 189,216 sq. km; and Papua, 421,981 sq. km. which forms part of the world’s second biggest island of New Guinea. The other islands are smaller in size. According to 2010 data, Indonesia had total a population of 237,641,326 people.
Today, August 17, 2015 is the 70th Anniversary of Indonesia’s Independence Day. Every year, we commemorate Indonesia’s Independence since its proclamation on August 17, 1945, which gave us the definition of who we really are and eventually led to the birth of a new nation. We give honor to our forefathers who fought for our freedom, and at the same time, we also celebrate with fervor our country’s progress towards greater heights.
With sheer determination guided by this year’s theme, “Gerakan Nasional ‘ Ayo Kerja’ 70 Tahun Indonesia Merdeka” (Indonesian Movement “Let’s Work” 70 Years of Indonesian Independence), Indonesia is ready to embrace the challenges brought about by stability and vibrant democracy.
Indonesia has undergone tremendous transformations in the past. Today, it is a rising economic power and a promising leader with a strong global voice and an important role in the international stage. Indonesia’s goal is to become self-reliant, advanced, just and prosperous by 2025 and focused on improving economic competitiveness of its natural resources while advancing the potentials of its human resources.
The new government, with its platform that centers on promoting economic growth, active involvement of Indonesian civil society, and fight against corruption, will soon establish itself as a valued leader in addressing global challenges. Because of its potentials, it is perceived that Indonesia, which at present is on the 16th rank of the World GDP, will have a better position in the years to come.
Indonesia and the Philippines are great diplomatic partners and good friends in the international community. The recent visit of President Joko Widodo in the Philippines from February 8–9, 2015 has tightened relations with four agreements, namely: The Protection of Migrants and Migrant Workers; Technical, Vocational Education and Training; Combating Illicit Trafficking and Abuse of Narcotics, Psychotropic Substances and Controlled Chemical Precursors; and Cooperation in Education, Research and Training. As we celebrate the 66th anniversary of the establishment of ID-PH’s diplomatic relations, both countries have agreed to sustain equitable growth through enhanced cooperation and mutual support; maximize each other’s advantage and promote people-to-people connectivity.
On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Indonesia and the Indonesian community in the Philippines, allow me to extend my most cordial greetings to the President of the Republic of the Philippines, H. E. Benigno S. Aquino III and its people and wish His Excellency every success in his determination to lead the Filipino people to the right path.