COVID-19, Jakarta Receives Medical Supplies from Berlin

Thank you for the support

The Berlin State Government has flown out much-needed medical equipment to the Jakarta Provincial Government to support the city's prevention and control measures against COVID-19. The aid was symbolically by Population and Settlement Control Deputy Governor Suharti at City Hall, on Thursday (11/5).

Suharti expressed the city thanked for the aid and it was expected to open up opportunities to generate ideas in an effort to accelerate the handling of the disease.

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"Thank you for the support. This virus has become epidemic globally. That's why this cooperation is very important. Besides strengthening the partnership between the two cities, it can also generate fresh ideas to speed up handling through open dialogue and exchanging experiences," she explained, as quoted by Jakarta PPID's press release, Friday (11/5).

Ambassador from the German Embassy representative Thomas Graf revealed cooperation was very important in this situation. "These are difficult moments for all of us, Germany as well as Indonesia, Berlin and also Jakarta. By sending masks and medical equipment today, we're delighted to be able to support Governor Anies Baswedan and his team to fight the disease. It emphasizes how important it is for us to work hand in hand to face global challenges," he explained.

As for the information, Jakarta and Berlin has strengthened relations during the pandemic through the implementation of the “Smart Change” project funded by the European Union. It aimed of developing sustainable innovative solutions by encouraging economic growth and job creation in Jakarta.

The project also strengthens the partnership between Germany, Indonesia and Thailand in the scope of exchanging business ideas, and developing Smart City solutions, especially in the post-pandemic era. It also aims to advance good governance and sustainable urban development in Jakarta in accordance with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development through the partnership of the cities of Jakarta, Berlin and Bangkok.

Additionally, this year marks 26 years of the Jakarta-Berlin sister city partnership. Since it built in 1994, Jakarta and Berlin have focused on culture and sports. In 2016, it shifted to start-up ecosystem relationships. Through the program "Experts for city partnerships around the world" by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), an integrated expert from Berlin is seconded to work in the city from 2019 to 2020 to support the partnership. Then in 2020, the Governor also participated in the Video Conference Governing Mayor of Berlin on COVID-19 Pandemic.