ASEAN committed to jointly building sustainable villages

Jakarta, Sept 2 (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration (PDTT) echoed the ASEAN countries' commitment to jointly building sustainable villages.

"We are committed that no village will be left behind. We will build villages in all corners and jointly realize sustainable development," the ministry's Acting Director General of Village Development and Empowerment, Rachmatia Handayani, noted in a statement from her office on Monday.

The commitment was one of the results of the discussion of the Senior Official Meeting on Rural Development and Poverty Eradication (SOMRDPE) Forum in Batu City from August 28 to September 1, 2024.

Handayani emphasized that collaboration between countries, such as that carried out by ASEAN countries, is paramount to realizing advanced villages. Thus, the SOMRDPE Forum is important in realizing this collaboration.

"This forum is important for ASEAN. We share the same goal, which is to collaborate and work together in building sustainable villages. We have a lot of potential in the tourism sector as well as digitalization to increase the existence of villages to improve the community's economy," she remarked.

The SOMRDPE Forum was attended by delegates from ASEAN member countries and villages' members of the ASEAN Village Network (AVN). The forum held discussions between participants to determine the direction of village development based on the potential and needs of each country, Handayani remarked.

The delegation from the Philippines commended the role of SOMRDPE and AVN in the village development efforts. They were impressed by the concept of the event and the culture presented, especially from villages in Batu City and Malang District.

Before the event's closing, the delegates received certificates of appreciation and souvenirs from Indonesia. The closing ceremony was marked by the striking of the gong by all delegates and guests to symbolize Indonesian culture.