Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has launche💧d a nationwide campaign to tackle mounting waste crisis, calling for a united effort to build a cleaner, greener, and more beautiful Indonesia.

Speaking at the launch of the Indonesian Planting Movement in Ogan Ilir, Palembang, South Sumatra on April 23, Subianto urged citizens to begin with simple but impactful actions, such as keeping their surroundings clean and protecting the environment. He also asked universities to devise innovations that can improve the environment and people's housing. Subianto said he hopes that the spirit of mutual cooperation in protecting the environment can become the new face of a strong and dignified nation. According to data from the Ministry of Environment, Indonesia generated 69.9 million tonnes of waste in 2023, with food waste accounting for the largest share at 41.6%, followed by plastic, wood, paper, and metal. In a related news, the Indonesian government in coordination with the International Financial Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, have conducted a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) to resolve the waste problem in the Southeast Asian nation. Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono stated that this initiative was undertaken as several regions in Indonesia are currently facing a critical waste management situation. He noted that with this collaboration, they hope to find a joint solution for waste management. The official said that his ministry is responsible for waste management infrastructure in Indonesia by providing waste processing infrastructure for the community in the form of building a waste-powered electricity plant (PLTSa). To implement the plan, several stages must be completed, including strengthening regulations in Indonesia, he said, adding that numerous countries have put into practice transforming waste into electrical energy. He underscored the need for suggestions and inputs from regional governments to fine-tune policies and technologies of waste processing to their specific regions. He also expressed optimism that the Jakarta Regional Budget (APBD), amounting to 91.34 trillion IDR (5.2 billion USD), could be allocated to address waste issues in the region. Yudhoyono also highlighted opportunities for inter-ministerial and cross-institutional cooperation to ensure the success of waste management initiatives, particularly through adopting "waste-to-energy" (WTE) solutions, as part of Jakarta's sustainable future agenda./.