Indonesia, as the largest archipelagic country in the world, has entered a new era in its history with the construction of the Archipelago Capital (IKN), which will become the new capital of this country. This historic decision has marked Indonesia’s commitment to moving forward in a more progressive, inclusive and sustainable direction. As a country that continues to develop, this step shows the government’s vision to build a better future for the Indonesian people and welcome a greater role in the international world.
As the new capital of Indonesia, IKN will strengthen Indonesia’s position on the international stage. With modern facilities and openness to the outside world, IKN will become an important center for diplomacy, trade and culture in the Southeast Asia region. This will enable Indonesia to play a more active role in international forums and expand cooperation networks with other countries.
High-ranking officials from the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) have visited Indonesia to support IKN development. Their arrival on March 6-8 2024 will focus on the electricity interconnection project between Indonesia and Malaysia as well as the development of high-quality infrastructure.
USTDA Director, Enoh T. Ebong, stated the agency’s commitment to advancing Indonesia’s infrastructure through the latest innovations, especially related to IKN development. USTDA will play a role in supporting Indonesia’s efforts to build a new, world-class capital city and create extensive cooperation opportunities.
During his visit, Ebong visited a number of locations in IKN and announced new commitments, including the Nusantara business forum, Nusantara project management and procurement workshops, as well as technical support for the development of the Nusantara smart city.
It should be noted that USTDA has been active in Indonesia since 1992, with more than 100 infrastructure development activities in this country. In 2021, the agency even opened an office at the US Embassy in Jakarta, demonstrating greater commitment to infrastructure development in Indonesia.
The arrival of these USTDA officials not only marks US support for IKN development, but is also part of efforts to advance the priorities of the administration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. With a strong partnership between Indonesia and the US in terms of infrastructure development.
The US is one of the various countries that has expressed its support for the development of IKN on the island of Kalimantan. Meanwhile, India also highlighted the development of IKN as a fast and measurable action from the Indonesian government.
In an article entitled ‘As Jakarta Sinks, Satellite Images Show Indonesia’s New Capital Nusantara Taking Shape’, Times Now highlights the shift of the capital from Jakarta to IKN Nusantara. They stated that the issue of Jakarta sinking was the main reason behind the construction of IKN as the new capital.
NASA satellites were used to show the progress of the IKN development project, which was greeted with appreciation from Times Now. They also noted that the new road network in the IKN area was already visible, illustrating President Joko Widodo’s (Jokowi) measured plan to move the capital.
President Jokowi was described as a leader who took action regarding the condition of Jakarta’s land which was getting lower and continuing to decline, thereby speeding up the decision to move the country’s capital. One of the important points from the Times Now article is that IKN Nusantara is designed to be a more sophisticated and modern city than Jakarta, with a focus on sustainability and the use of sustainable energy.
The development of IKN Nusantara has now reached 60 percent, according to the Times Now report. Appreciation from foreign media such as Times Now shows that the development of IKN Nusantara is not only in the spotlight within the country, but has also received international attention because of its broad impact.
IKN was designed by paying attention to aspects of accessibility and connectivity that are important for a capital city. Its strategic location on Kalimantan Island will facilitate easier access for people in various regions of Indonesia. In addition, the development of modern transportation infrastructure, such as highway and high-speed train networks, will improve connectivity between IKN and other big cities in Indonesia.
IKN also prioritizes the principles of sustainable development. By utilizing green technology and environmentally friendly practices, IKN aims to be an example for capital cities around the world in preserving the environment. Innovative measures such as the use of renewable energy and efficient waste management will help maintain ecological balance and reduce negative impacts on the environment.The development of IKN is a historical milestone that marks Indonesia’s commitment to a brighter and more inclusive future. The Indonesian government under the leadership of President Jokowi continues to strive to make IKN Nusantara a symbol of progress and modernity, as well as proof of commitment in facing increasingly complex environmental challenges. It is hoped that the development of IKN Nusantara will bring great benefits to the Indonesian people and become an inspiring example for infrastructure development throughout the world.
