The Denmark and Norway governments, expressed their willingness to assist Jakarta Provincial Government in overcoming garbage problems in the capital city.

We want to optimize our efforts to convert waste or garbage into energy

Norwegian Ambassador to Indonesia, Rasmus A Kristensen said, the assistance that will be given to the city is not only a conventional garbage reduction, but to waste recycling.

"We want to optimize our efforts to convert waste or garbage into energy," he stated, when he conducted a review with Jakarta Governor, Anies Baswedan to Manggarai Sluice Gate on Jalan Tambak, Menteng, Central Jakarta, Tuesday (1/30).

He explained, most of the garbage in the sea comes from waste that is not well managed in big cities with coastal areas. Therefore, there are significant challenges in garbage management in the area.

"The assistance given to the city is the right initiative, especially to reduce marine waste and improve the management of the oceans in Indonesia," he uttered.

At the same place, Norwegian Ambassador to Indonesia, Vegard Kalee added, oceans and coastal areas have a very important role in the economy that serves as a source of income and livelihood for hundreds of millions of people in the world.

"We're still facing plastic garbage problems that can threaten the health and balance of ecosystems in the sea and coastal areas," he stated.

Because the problem has become a common issue, he added, the completion does not look at the state boundaries. Hence, his party is happy to join the World Bank and Denmark in support of the Indonesian marine agenda.

"We provide Oceans, Marine Debris and Coastal Resources Multi-Donor Trust Fund (OMC-MDTF) or maritime trust funds for Indonesia," he expressed.

Meanwhile, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry's Deputy for Maritime Sovereignty, Havas Oegroseno uttered, the central government allocates 1 billion US dollars to deal with garbage problem in Indonesia.

"It needs cross-sectoral cooperation to overcome garbage problem. We appreciate the steps that have been done by the city," he said.

As for the information, through a World Bank-administered maritime trust fund, the Norwegian Government grants 1.4 million US Dollars. Meanwhile, Denmark awarded grant funds amounting to 875 thousand US dollars.