The Ministry of Communication and Digital Application (Komdigi) and the German Ministry of Digital and Transportation have recently agreed to collaborate in digital infrastructure and technology development, as well as the drafting of internet-related regulations.
The signing of the collaboration was held at the International Digital Dialogue Conference (IDDC) 2024 in Berlin on Thursday-Friday, November 21-22, 2024. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Meutya Hafid, Indonesian Minister of Communication and Digital Application and Volker Wissing, German Minister of Digital and Transportation.
There are a number of points of collaboration set in the agreement:
- Digital policy and strategy;
- Data policy;
- Internet processes and governance;
- Digital technology;
- Sustainable digital transformation;
- Digital inclusion, including the development of digital economy infrastructure and internet accessibility.
This collaboration is also a form of continuation of the annual Indonesian-German Digital Dialogue (IGDD) 2023 forum which has produced the Joint Declaration of Intent (JDoI) on Cooperation in the Field of Digitization.
In her IDCC 2024 speech, Minister Meutya Hafid emphasized the importance of basic principles in digital transformation including inclusivity, empowerment, and trust. The Indonesian government prioritizes the availability of reliable and affordable internet access for all citizens.
“In addition, creating a digital economic ecosystem that empower, and increases media and digital literacy of the community,” she said on Sunday, November 24, 2024.
Cross-country cooperation
Meutya also separately held a bilateral meeting with Takuo Imagawa, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications of Japan. This meeting emphasized the importance of cross-country cooperation in facing digital challenges including AI and taking advantage of the opportunities provided by the global digital transformation.
“The meeting with the German Minister of Digital and Transportation and the Japanese Vice Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications showed that digitization is progressing very quickly, crossing national borders. Likewise, challenges such as digital crime are too big to be faced alone,” she said.
On the sidelines of the conference, she also met with Indonesian start-up innovators participating in IDDC 2024. According to her, the participation of Indonesian start-ups in a forum like this is an important step to introduce Indonesian innovation to international forums.
“Collaboration is key to ensuring that digitization provides maximum benefits to the Indonesian people and reduces or even eliminates the risks that may arise,” she cited.
