At the launch ceremony (Photo: Indonesian Foreign Ministry) Jakarta (VNA) - The Indonesian government has launched theIndonesian Agency for International Development (AID), a fund to helpreduce poverty and social inequality around the world.
The agency is a reflection of the country's stature as oneof the biggest economies globally.
Vice PresidentJusuf Kalla said the programmeis long overdue as Indonesia's economy has grown six times into a 1 trillion USDeconomy in the past two decades.
Speaking at thelaunch ceremony on October 18, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudidescribed the fund as a very precious tool for Indonesian diplomacy tostrengthen its presence on the international stage.
Marsudi said theAID has already provided aid for five Pacific countries – Tuvalu,Nauru, Solomon Island, Kiribati and Fiji – and for Myanmar and thePhilippines.
The NationalDevelopment Planning Agency (Bappenas) and the Finance Ministry will beresponsible for managing funding for the project. The AID now has 212million USD sourced from the State budget.
According tothe minister, the agency will focus on providing aid during times of naturaldisasters and for humanitarian crises, thus reducing poverty andsocial inequality between developed and developing countries as well as increase Indonesia'sparticipation in fulfilling the United Nations' SustainableDevelopment Goals./.
