Indonesian Minister of Communication and Informatics, Budi Arie Setiadi, reaffirmed the Indonesian government's commitment to enhancing the digital economy to reduce economic disparity and promote digitalization both within Indonesia and other developing nations. This declaration was made during a bilateral meeting with the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) in Geneva, Switzerland, on Monday. "Indonesia is a large country comprising thousands of islands. This poses a significant challenge for us in building a digital economy. We are committed to ensuring no one is left behind," stated Budi Arie in a press release on Monday. He also noted that Indonesia had launched its e-government initiative in Jakarta on the same day.
Minister Budi Arie and his team emphasized the importance of solidarity in advancing developing countries in the Global South region. DCO Secretary General, Deemah Al Yahya, elaborated on DCO's ongoing efforts to promote and develop digitalization and the digital economy in many countries. She highlighted the challenges faced by developing nations in Africa and the Middle East. "We are also committed to encouraging the participation and contribution of women in the digital economy," said Deemah. She invited Budi Arie to attend the DCO General Assembly scheduled for February 2025 in Amman, Jordan. In response, Budi Arie invited Deemah to attend the inauguration of Indonesia's National Data Center, set for late August in Cikarang. The meeting focused on accelerating and sustaining the digital economy in Indonesia and globally. It was held at 10:00 local time at the Geneva International Convention Center (CICG). Budi Arie was accompanied by several Ministry of Communication and Informatics officials, including Director General of Postal and Informatics Control, Wayan Toni Supriyanto, and Special Staff members Sarwoto, Dedy Permadi, Daniel Hutagalung, and Jobpie Sugiharto.
