Jakarta, September 25, 2023 - The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources of the Republic of Indonesia (ESDM), the Ministry of State Administration of Timor-Leste, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Indonesia held a seminar themed “South-South Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) and Renewable Energy Sustainability” on Monday, September 25, 2023 at the Auditorium of the National Library of the Republic of Indonesia in Jakarta. Funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the ACCESS Project (Accelerating Clean Energy Access to Reduce Inequality) promotes best practices and lessons learned through activities within the SSTC framework in energy transition. The event was accompanied by the launch of the FAQ Book on Operation and Maintenance of Solar Water Pumping Systems for local operators in Timor Leste.

The event invited representatives from the Ministry of National Development Planning of the Republic of Indonesia/National Development Planning Agency, Ministry of State Secretariat, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, UNDP Indonesia, UNDP Timor-Leste, Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Indonesia and Timor-Leste (online), Ministry of State Administration Timor-Leste (online), Embassy of Timor-Leste in Jakarta, academics, and International Relations Study Programs from various universities in Jakarta areas.

Andriah Feby Misna, Director of Various New and Renewable Energy of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources in the opening of the seminar conveyed the importance of South-South Cooperation in accelerating development in the energy sector for the sake of vulnerable communities in remote areas. “ACCESS is implementing the Solar Water Pump construction program and has distributed Solar Energy Saving Lamps  to 1000 households in 3 municipalities in Timor-Leste. We hope that this program can provide maximum benefits to the people in the target villages in the future.”

Agostinho da Costa, Director General of Finance of the Ministry of State Administration of Timor Leste, who was one of the main speakers expressed his appreciation for the support of cooperation through the SSTC scheme between UNDP, MEMR RI, and the Ministry of State Secretariat of Timor Leste through the ACCESS project. The targets to be achieved by the ACCESS Project are in line with the Timor-Leste National Strategic Development Plan 2011-2030. “In accordance with the National Strategic Plan 2011-2023, the Government of Timor-Leste targets to achieve 100% national electrification, with part of it using New Renewable Energy (NRE), and improve water infrastructure. The support acquired through this cooperation has benefited people who need access to electricity and clean water.” A total of 5,341 people can now get light through Energy Efficient Solar Lights distributed by the ACCESS Project and 2,561 people in 3 municipalities will soon be able to enjoy access to clean water from 11 solar water pumps currently under construction.

Aretha Aprilia, Head of UNDP Indonesia's Environment Unit said, “UNDP Indonesia is committed to supporting the clean energy transition and ensuring that no one is left behind. Sustainable energy access will provide opportunities for people, including girls and young people, and other members of society to benefit from an equitable development process.”

Ahmad Khulaemi from the Center for Human Resource Development for Electricity, Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation (PPSDM KEBTKE) of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources of Indonesia, also highlighted the importance of sustainability in technology transfer in the energy sector in this SSTC cooperation. “PPSDM KEBTKE of the Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources has carried out several activities in order to transfer knowledge and expertise in the energy sector. Through the training of local operators in the field of Solar Water Pumps for Timor-Leste and other energy fields for several other countries in the Southern Region, we hope that the expertise of local operators can ensure the sustainability of energy infrastructure,” he said.

Park Sooyoung, Deputy Country Director of Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in her speech conveyed the importance of synergy of all parties both national and international to respond to global issues such as climate change. “The ACCESS Project is an example of synergy. At the global level, a country's problem is not only the country's problem, but it can greatly affect global conditions. Various donors collaborate in different fields. On behalf of KOICA, we would like to thank all parties who worked hard to realize the target of this ACCESS project,” he said.

The seminar provided an important platform for stakeholders to share experiences and explore opportunities for further cooperation in promoting renewable energy sustainability and South-South cooperation.

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For further information, please contact:

• National Project Manager ACCESS Project, Mathilde Sari Gokmauli: mathilde.gokmauli@undp.org 

• Manitoring Evaluation and Outreach Analyst ACCESS Project, Sugiyanto: sugiyanto.sugiyanto@undp.org