Indonesia-U.S. Aviation Working Group Seminar
“Enhancing Indonesia-U.S. Aviation Cooperation”
Indonesia-U.S. AWG Seminar to Mark One-Year of Aviation Cooperation
JAKARTA, Indonesia – The Indonesia-U.S. Aviation Working Group (AWG) seminar today marks the one-year anniversary of successful U.S.-Indonesia cooperation on aviation. Since its establishment with the MOU signing between Minister of Transportation Ignasius Jonan and Ambassador Blake on April 20th 2015, the AWG has served as a platform where U.S. and Indonesian aviation stakeholders can engage with each other to facilitate the growth of Indonesia’s aviation sector. Over the past year, the Aviation Working Group has organized workshops on air traffic management and aviation security and has facilitated site visits to the U.S. for aviation and airport officials to support greater collaboration in commercial aviation.
Today’s seminar entitled “Enhancing Indonesia-U.S. Aviation Cooperation” was hosted by Minister Jonan at the Ministry of Transportation. Ambassador Blake attended and delivered remarks congratulating the AWG for the milestones it achieved in the past year and highlighting continued U.S. Embassy support for strengthening the cooperative relationship between the two countries. The seminar included a set of comprehensive sessions covering themes of safety, training, and maintenance needs, which will help equip Indonesian aviation professionals with the necessary knowledge and skills needed for Indonesia’s aviation future.
During the seminar, there was a grant signing ceremony between the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), a component of Indonesia’s Ministry of Transportation. On behalf of USTDA, Rosemary Gallant, Counselor for Commercial Affairs at the U.S. Embassy, signed the agreement with Director General Suprasetyo. Ambassador Blake and Minister Ignasius Jonan witnessed the signing.
The USTDA grant will fund a project to develop aviation safety systems in the country’s eastern region, involving development of concept of operations, capital investment plan, and implementation timeline to help improve flight safety and air navigation practices in Papua and Maluku.
“As a large, populous and mobile archipelago, air transport is crucial for Indonesia’s economy and its citizens, both in terms of passenger and cargo traffic,” said Ambassador Robert Blake, the U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia, who witnessed the signing. “This grant directly supports the Government of Indonesia’s efforts to improve air safety and to promote economic development, particularly in Papua and Maluku.”
This technical assistance will help the DGCA in updating air navigation capabilities and improving the safety and operations of commercial and general aviation in the eastern region of the country. Over the long term, the project is designed to help increase the efficiency of the civil aviation sector and improve airspace management.
The grant supports the goals of the U.S. Government to enhance collaboration between the U.S. and Indonesia and support safe and efficient aviation growth in Indonesia.
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