The 43rd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and related summits kicked off in Indonesia's Jakarta on Tuesday (September 05, 2023), with the focus on establishing the region as an epicenter of economic growth. Addressing the opening ceremony, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, whose country is holding the rotating ASEAN chair this year, urged ASEAN to stay united and not be a proxy to any power. "Don't make our ship, ASEAN, become an arena of rivalry that causes damages to each other. Make our ship the foundation to build cooperation and create prosperity, stability and peace, not only for the region but also for the world," he said. During the next three days, leaders of ASEAN member nations are expected to discuss issues that would chart the future of ASEAN as a community and an institution. Read: President Shahabuddin in Indonesia to attend ASEAN Summit, East Asia Summit This includes steps to speed up the decision-making in crises and emergencies, as well as steps to bolster ASEAN's capacity to respond to emerging challenges in the region. The summit under Indonesia's ASEAN chairmanship this year is themed "ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth." In the past decade, ASEAN's average annual growth reached 3.98 percent, above the global economic growth of 2.6 percent, showed ASEAN data. Founded in 1967, ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Read: Southeast Asian leaders are besieged by thorny issues as they hold an ASEAN summit without Biden

President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Monday (September 04, 2023) left for Jakarta, Indonesia to attend the 43rd ASEAN Summit and 18th East Asia Summit to be held on September 5-7. A regular flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, carrying the President along with his spouse Prof Rebecca Sultana and other entourage members, departed from Hazrat Shahjalal (R.) International Airport (HSIA) for Jakarta at 8:30 am. Among others, Chairperson of Bangladesh National Advisory Committee on Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders Saima Wazed and Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen will accompany the President during the visit. Read: Southeast Asian leaders are besieged by thorny issues as they hold an ASEAN summit without Biden Shahabuddin has been invited by the President of the Republic of Indonesia and ASEAN Chair for 2023 Joko Widodo, Press secretary Joynal Abedin said. With the theme of "Asean Matters: Epicentrum of Growth", the ASEAN Summit will be held with a hectic agenda for three days. The Bangladesh president, on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit, will also attend the 'East Asia Summit' slated for September 7. Alongside, the president will deliver the concluding speech on "Strengthening Regional Architecture to Support the Epicentrum of Growth from the Perspective of IORA" as the "Guest of Chair" there. He will also have separate bilateral meetings with his Indonesian counterpart Joko Widodo and state leaders of Thailand, Malaysia and Timor-Leste. On September 6, the president will attend a 'Gala Dinner' to be hosted by the Indonesian president at Hutan Kota Gelora Bung Karno. Read: ASEAN’s collective market holds significant promise for Bangladesh’s economic growth: Momen Joko Widodo will chair 12 meetings during the 43rd ASEAN Summit. The ASEAN is an intergovernmental organization of 11 Southeast Asian countries - Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Timor Leste or East Timor. The ASEAN Summit is a biannual meeting held by its members. The Indonesian president will also chair the 18th East Asia Summit (EAS), which consists of 18 members, including the 10 ASEAN countries, the United States, the Russian Federation, New Zealand, Australia, China, Japan, South Korea, and India, according to the ASEAN secretariat. The leaders of the Pacific Island Forum, the Prime Minister of Canada, the Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the World Bank (World Bank) are also reportedly planning to attend the ASEAN Summit. From Jakarta President Shahabuddin along with his spouse will will go to Singapore for a health check-up. He is expected to return home from Singapore on September 16, according to the revised schedule. Read: US Deputy Assistant Secretary Mira Resnick in Dhaka

Dhaka's air quality continued to be in the 'unhealthy' zone on Wednesday (May 31, 2023) morning. With an air quality index (AQI) score of 166 at 8:41 am on Wednesday, Dhaka ranked second in the list of cities worldwide with the worst air quality. An AQI between 151 and 200 is considered ‘unhealthy'. Indonesia’s Jakarta and Chile’s Santiago occupied the first and third spots in the list, with AQI scores of 173 and 157, respectively. Also read: Dhaka’s air quality ‘unhealthy’ Friday morning An AQI between 201 and 300 is said to be 'very unhealthy', while a reading of 301 to 400 is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents. In Bangladesh, the AQI is based on five criteria pollutants -- Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2 and Ozone. Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. As per the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections. Read more: UN talks on a treaty to end global plastic pollution open in Paris

In the heart of Jakarta, the grand Istiqlal Mosque was built with a vision for it to stand for a thousand years. The mosque was conceived by Soekarno, Indonesia’s founding father, and was designed as an impressive symbol for the country's independence. Its seven gates — representing the seven heavens in Islam — welcome visitors from across the archipelago and the world into the mosque's lofty interior. But they don't just see the light here. It fuels them. A major renovation in 2019 installed upwards of 500 solar panels on the mosque's expansive roof, now a major and clean source of Istiqlal's electricity. And this Ramadan, the mosque has encouraged an energy waqf — a type of donation in Islam that continues to bear fruit over time — to grow its capacity to make renewable power. Her Pramtama, deputy head of the Ri’ayah — or building management — division of Istiqlal Mosque, hopes that Islam's holiest month, when the faithful flock to mosques in greater numbers, can provide momentum to Istiqlal's solar project through donations. The mosque's climate push is just one example of different “Green Ramadan” initiatives in Indonesia and around the world that promote an array of changes during the Muslim holy month, which has fasting and, in many cases, feasting elements as people gather to break their fasts. In a month where restraint and charity are emphasized, recommendations can include using less water while performing the ritual washing before prayers, replacing plastic bottles and cutlery during community iftars with reusable ones and reducing food waste. Other suggestions include carpooling to mosques, using local produce, emphasizing recycling and using donations to fund clean energy projects. For the world to limit the effects of climate change — which is already causing worsening droughts, floods and heat waves — the use of dirty fuels for electricity and transport, petrochemicals to make products like plastics and the emissions from food waste in landfills all need to be drastically slashed, scientists say. Though individual initiatives are just a small part of that transition, experts say growing momentum behind climate goals can have an effect. Groups taking an Islamic-based approach often highlight environmental understandings of certain Quranic verses and sayings and practices of Prophet Muhammad about the earth, water and against wastefulness. Last year, at a meeting of the Muslim Congress for Sustainable Indonesia, the country’s vice president Ma’ruf Amin called on clerics and community leaders “to play an active role in conveying issues related to environmental damage” and asked for concrete action on climate change including through donations to solar projects like those at Istiqlal Mosque. Muhammad Ali Yusuf, a board member at the faith-based Nahdlatul Ulama’s Institution for Disaster Management and Climate Change in Indonesia, said spreading awareness about clean energy is a “shared responsibility” for Muslims, where mosques' own solar panel installations can be catalysts toward a greater transition. In the United States and Canada, environmental groups that began springing up in Muslim communities in the mid-2000s independently from one another formed “green Muslim understandings” from within their religious traditions, according to Imam Saffet Catovic, a U.S. Muslim community environmental activist. “In some cases, the mosques were receptive to it,” he said. In others, mosque leaders, “didn’t fully understand” the drive, he added. Ramadan offers a “possibility for ecological training that’s unique to the Muslim community,” Catovic said. “Thirty days allow someone to change their habits." The Islamic Society of North America website calls on Muslims to be “an eco-friendly community”, saying looking after the environment is “based upon the premise that Islam has ordained us to be the stewards and protectors of this planet.” Some mosques and Muslims around the world are heeding such calls, one small step at a time. Ahead of Ramadan this year, the mosque at Al Ma’hadul Islamic Boarding School in Indonesia received solar panels through Islamic donations, supplying enough energy for the mosque's entire needs. The electricity from the solar panels also lights up schools and roads in the vicinity. The Nizamiye Mosque in Johannesburg, South Africa, with its towering minarets and spacious interior, has a roof dotted with domes and solar panels that help keep the power on at the mosque and its surrounding schools, clinic and bazaar. The 143 panels cover over a third of the complex's energy use in a country that has struggled in recent years to provide enough electricity through its strained grid. In Edison, New Jersey, Masjid Al-Wali¸ a mosque and community center, has been adopting changes such as selling reusable water bottles to members at cost and installing more water coolers to discourage the use of disposable plastic bottles, said board member Akil Mansuri. “Preserving the environment is the Islamically right thing to do,” Mansuri said. “People accept the message, but adoption is always slower.” Several years ago, Masjid Al-Wali, whose activities include an Islamic school and monthly community dinners, installed solar panels. Meals this Ramadan for the mosque’s community iftars come in plastic pre-packaged boxes for now, Mansuri said. But mosque leaders encourage members to take leftovers and reuse the boxes, instead of throwing them away, he said, adding he hopes alternatives can be found next Ramadan. In the United Kingdom, Projects Against Plastic, a Bristol-based charity, is leading a plastic-free Ramadan campaign. “I feel like, as a Muslim, that mosques are the hub of the communities and they should take a little bit more leading role for sustainability and toward recycling,” PAP founder Naseem Talukdar said. “During the month of Ramadan is where I’ve really seen a ridiculous amount of plastic being used and thrown away.” Mosques are urged to raise awareness on plastic pollution and reduce reliance on single-use plastic. Seven Bristol mosques participated in a pilot project last year, with varying results, and a national campaign, with more than 20 participating mosques, was rolled out this year. Besides education, another challenge is when mosques don’t have enough funds to buy reusable cutlery, dishwashers and water fountains. “We knew we were going to hit some hard walls and some pushbacks, but, to be honest, the engagement that we’ve seen so far, it was a little overwhelming,” Talukdar said. “Even though the progress is slow, but there’s a real appetite for this kind of initiative within the mosque." Ummah for Earth, an alliance-led initiative that aims to empower Muslim communities facing climate change, is urging people to pledge to adopt one eco-friendly practice during Ramadan. Options include asking an imam to address environmental issues, donating to environmental charities and shopping sustainably. “Many Muslims are not aware that there are environmental teachings in the Quran and the sayings of the prophet and that they have a role that they can play to protect the planet,” said Nouhad Awwad, Beirut-based campaigner and global outreach coordinator for the Ummah for Earth project at Greenpeace MENA. As they work to raise awareness, campaigners often encounter the argument that climate change is “destined” and that “you cannot change God’s destiny,” Awwad said. “We’re trying to change the narrative,” she said. “We have things that we can do on an individual level, on a community level and on a political level.”

Bangladesh has sought a proactive support of Indonesia and of the ASEAN for an early repatriation of the stranded Myanmar nationals from Bangladesh to Myanmar. Bangladesh and Indonesia held bilateral meeting in Jakarta on Monday and discussed the issue. Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia Retno Marsudi led the respective delegation in the discussions. The meeting reviewed the whole gamut of the existing excellent bilateral relations and both sides renewed their commitment for further strengthening it. The two foreign ministers exchanged felicitations on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the two countries. The two countries agreed to accelerate cooperation in the areas of trade, investment, agriculture, food, energy, health and pharmaceuticals, connectivity, ICT, tourism, halal trade, human resources development, defence, youth and cultural exchanges, etc. They expressed optimism that the MoUs in the pipeline would be concluded soon. Read: Rohingya Repatriation: Dhaka seeks proactive role from Indonesia, ASEAN

The 11th edition of the eight-nation Asia Cup Hockey '2022 begins on Monday at the GBK Hockey Field in Jakarta. Top five teams of the last Asia Cup--holders India, Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan, South Korea--,hosts Indonesia and last AHF Cup champions Bangladesh and runners- up Oman have qualified for the tournament. Also read: Hockey: Bangladesh suffer drubbing against India in prep match Bangladesh team was placed in four-team Pool B with Malaysia, South Korea and Oman while Pool A team comprises India  Japan, Pakistan and hosts Indonesia. Four matches will be held on the opening day (Monday). Malaysia will face Oman in the inaugural match at 10:45 am (Bangladesh time) while Bangladesh will face former champions South  Korea at 1:pm (BST) in the  Pool B matches.  In Pool A matches, Japan will meet hosts Indonesia at 3:15  pm (BST) while India will play their arch- rivals Pakistan at 5:30 pm (BST)  in the other opening day's fixture. In the remaining group matches, Bangladesh will play Oman on Tuesday (May 24)  at 10:45 am and meet  Malaysia on Thursday (May 26) at 1: pm, all are Bangladesh time. The final match will be held on June 1. South Korea clinched the Asia Cup title for a record four times while India followed them by winning the title for  three times. Also read: Sports Hockey: Bangladesh beat Indonesia 2-1 in preparatory match ahead of Asis Cup Bangladesh Hockey team, now in Indonesia to participate in the Hero Men's Asia Cup Hockey' 2022 played two preparatory matches ahead of the main event. Bangladesh suffered 1-5 goals defeat against holders India in their 2nd preparatory match after beating  hosts Indonesia by 2-1 goals in the first  match. Earlier,  Bangladesh qualified for the Hero Men’s Asia Cup Hockey by clinching the nine-nation Men's AHF Cup Hockey title for the 4th consecutive times with all-win record also held in Jakarta last March.

Bangladesh has sought an "expeditious conclusion" of the proposed Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) with Indonesia for further enhancement of trade and commerce between the two countries, preferably during this year that marks a watershed in the bilateral relations.  Bangladesh also stressed the importance of reducing the imbalance existing in the bilateral trade by increasing Indonesian imports from Bangladesh.  Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen discussed the issues during a telephone conversation with Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno L P Marsudi on Wednesday.  Reciprocating the sentiment of Dr Momen, Marsudi noted with profound satisfaction the fact that Bangladesh-Indonesia bilateral relations was growing from strength to strength and laid importance on further political and economic collaboration for taking the relations to a newer level.  READ: Dhaka seeks Berlin’s support to face post-LDC challenges Dr Momen thanked Indonesia for their humanitarian support extended to the Rohingyas and sought political support from Indonesia on the repatriation issue.  He requested for Indonesia’s and ASEAN’s continued support in bringing about a sustainable and permanent solution to this protracted crisis.  Dr Momen highlighted that Bangladesh wishes to have greater interaction with ASEAN since there are vibrant trade relations with some members of ASEAN and the potential synergy is evident.  He sought Indonesian support to Bangladesh’s candidature for ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partner.  The Indonesian Foreign Minister, while expressing her support for Bangladesh’s candidature, suggested fostering a greater engagement with the member countries of ASEAN in this regards. Dr Momen also sought Indonesian support in favour of Bangladesh in various regional and multilateral fora.     The two Foreign Ministers expressed deep satisfaction at the existing excellent bilateral cooperation between the two countries and vowed to further strengthen the relations in depth and dimensions.   Dr Momen observed that Bangladesh has been enjoying brotherly and cordial relationship with Indonesia since independence.  READ: Dhaka seeks ISA’s increased support to tap seabed resources    Both the Ministers agreed to celebrate the 50th year of the diplomatic ties this year in a befitting manner.    Dr Momen noted with satisfaction the rising trend in bilateral trade and commerce between Bangladesh and Indonesia in recent years. Both the Foreign Ministers exchanged greetings of the New Year and promised to remain in close touch.

FBCCI President Md. Jashim Uddin on Monday called upon the government to take initiative to harness the huge untapped potentials of bilateral trade between Bangladesh and Indonesia. Jashim made the call when Bangladesh Ambassador to Indonesia Air Vice Marshal Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman called on him at his FBCCI office.In FY 2020-21, the import-export trade between Indonesia and Bangladesh stood at US$ 1.9 billion, which has a huge potential for further growth.Indonesia has a large market for Bangladeshi medicines, agricultural products, poultry, jute and leather goods and footwear. Also read: FBCCI seeks to extend loans moratorium facility until June 2022Jashim also urged the ambassador to take initiative so that Indonesia would also invest in an economic zone of Bangladesh.During the meeting the ambassador said that the Bangladesh government is keen to be a sectoral dialogue partner of Indonesia.As the tariff and tax structure in the country is relatively simple, it will be easier for Bangladeshi exporters to capture the market, he said.“Indonesian entrepreneurs are interested in investing in Bangladesh through joint ventures in the pharmaceutical and SME sectors,” he said.He also said that a delegation led by the country's industry minister or commerce minister will visit Bangladesh this year to explore bilateral trade and investment prospects. Also read: FBCCI preparing a master plan to face post-LDC challengesHe said negotiations are also underway on a preferential trade agreement (PTA) with the country.FBCCI Senior Vice President Mostofa Azad Chowdhury Babu, Vice President Md. Amin Helaly, Director MGR Nasir Majumder and Secretary General Mohammad Mahfuzul Hoque were present during the meeting.

Bangladesh has stressed the importance of an early conclusion of bilateral Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) with Indonesia by making it inclusive and mutually beneficial. Bangladesh observed that signing of the PTA, now under negotiation, could be an effective tool for further strengthening the trade and economic relations between the two countries. Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen discussed issues when visiting Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi met him on Tuesday. Also read: Indonesian envoy pays farewell call on President Hamid The Indonesian Minister is visiting Bangladesh to attend the 21st IORA Council of Ministers (COM) meeting in Dhaka. Momen thanked his Indonesian counterpart for their supportive role in the UNGA, OIC, Human Rights Council on the issue and urged them to play a more proactive role within the ASEAN to ensure an early repatriation of the Rohingyas to their motherland. He highlighted the plights of 1.1 million forcibly displaced Myanmar citizens who are being temporarily sheltered in Bangladesh on humanitarian ground. Momen also focused on the huge socio-economic pressure caused by the Rohingyas saying the problem is exerting on Bangladesh. While exchanging views on the Covid-19 pandemic, he pointed out the very low level of positivity rate currently prevailing in Bangladesh and informed her of the government drive for vaccinating people en masse. The Indonesian foreign minister congratulated Bangladesh on successfully organizing the 21st Council of Ministers Meeting in Dhaka. While discussing the importance of IORA, Foreign Minister Momen reiterated that Bangladesh believes in a free, open, peaceful and inclusive indo-pacific for the common global benefit. The two foreign ministers expressed satisfaction over the flourishing bilateral relations in areas of mutual interest over the last five decades. Also read: Indonesia seeks more oxygen for COVID-19 sick amid shortage Terming Indonesia as one of our trusted friends, Momen pointed out the excellent understanding and goodwill prevailing among the highest political level of the two countries. Referring to the 50 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries that falls next year, both the ministers agreed to celebrate the special occasion in a befitting manner.

Bangladesh has requested Indonesia to remain proactive in ASEAN platform to convince Myanmar for creating a conducive environment for a safe, dignified and sustainable repatriation of the Rohingyas. Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen made the request when outgoing Ambassador of Indonesia to Bangladesh Rina Prihtyasmiarsi Soemarno met him on Tuesday.  Dr Momen suggested that an ASEAN-led observer team may be deployed in the Rakhine State to oversee the repatriation process.   Read: ‘Will remain alert’, says FM about Afghan-trained terrorists He also said since there was no major violence in the Rakhine State in the last four years, repatriation can start under the supervision of a neutral international body.  The ambassador assured to remain engaged on the issue and continue Indonesia’s support for a durable solution to the crisis. The Foreign Minister thanked Indonesia for the humanitarian support extended to the Rohingyas and sought political support from it on the repatriation issue.  Terming Indonesia as an important partner of Bangladesh in the South East Asian region, the Foreign Minister suggested that the multi-faceted relations could be expanded if more people to people contacts take place and barriers in trade and investment are removed.  He sought Indonesia’s support towards Bangladesh’s bid to become a Sectoral Dialogue Partner of the ASEAN.  Dr Momen said as a natural bridge between South and South East Asia, Bangladesh is a genuine candidate to become a Dialogue Partner of the ASEAN.   Read:Rohingya children must be educated in their own language: FM