MCIT to Build Information Dissemination Network with IORA Journalists

JAKARTA, IORA – Indonesian Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) is ready to build information dissemination network with journalists of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Summit participating countries. "We will build a network of IORA member states’ journalists to exchange information on maritime, culture, etc.," said MCIT’s Director General of Information and Public Communication R Niken Widiastuti in Jakarta, Thursday (3/2). In IORA Summit, she added, MCIT is responsible for the public relations (PR) and media center for both local and foreign journalists who will be covering the event. "We disseminate information through radio and TV to deliver information about IORA summit. We also spread this information through social media and outdoor media," she said. Up to March 2nd, 2017, 209 local and foreign journalists are registered to cover the IORA Summit. They will have access to the Media Center to cover the event which will be held from Sunday (3/5) to Tuesday (3/7). IORA summit can also be viewed live on the internet at iorasummit2017.id. As quoted from Foreign Ministry’s official website Kemlu.go.id, Indonesia officially serves as the chairman of IORA for 2015 - 2017 with South Africa as Vice Chairman. Indonesia is the only chairman that sets the theme during its chairmanship, which is “Strengthening Maritime Cooperation for a Peaceful, Stable, and Prosperous Indian Ocean ". Among Indonesia’s idea and strategic initiatives during its chairmanship are proposing IORA Concord as the 20th year Anniversary of IORA strategic outcome and IORA Summit IORA 2017. In this capacity, Indonesia sets priority to strengthen regionalism in the Indian Ocean region through the establishment of IORA Concord, mainstreaming the idea of World Maritime Axis, promoting cooperation and cross-sectoral issues, and strengthening the institutions. During its chairmanship, Indonesia is committed to establish a concrete program in collaboration with related ministry and institution, namely: the 3rd Indian Ocean Dialogue, IORA 20th Anniversary Learning from the Past and Charting the Future International Symposium, IORA Business Innovation Center (BIC), IORA Guide for Investment, the 2nd Blue Economy Conference, Intersection of Culture and Civilization in the Indian Ocean Regional Workshop and IORAG Cultural Expo. (Tri Antoro/Juliyah/Translator: SC)