UNITAR Workshop in Jakarta Equips Asian Leaders

• UNITAR launched the second phase of the "Leaders for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific: Sea and Human Security" (FOIP) training programme on 10 September 2024 in Jakarta.
• The second phase began with the opening ceremony for a 10-Day Jakarta Workshop, which welcomed around 80 participants from 12 countries across Asia. High-level representatives from the government of Indonesia also attended the ceremony.
• The aim of the second phase of the programme is to equip leaders and officials from Asia's public and private sectors through in-person workshops with the skills and strategies to promote peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.

10 September 2024, Hiroshima, Japan - On 10 September 2024, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) launched the second phase of the "Leaders for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific: Sea and Human Security" (FOIP) training programme, which aims to equip leaders and officials from Asia's public and private sectors with the skills and strategies to promote peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. The programme is financially supported by the Government of Japan.

This second phase began with a 10-day workshop in Jakarta. The opening ceremony welcomed around 80 participants from 12 countries across Asia. High-level representatives from the government of Indonesia also attended.

UNITAR Hiroshima Office Head Chisa Mikami greeted the participants, saying,

This is your opportunity to not only learn but to share your own experiences and insights, to network, and to collaborate on solutions that can be implemented in your own countries and communities."

During the in-person workshop, leaders participants will gain valuable insights through study tours in Tangerang and Jakarta, as well as through expert sessions on a range of topics relevant to sea and human security. They will develop project proposals focusing on enhancing local resilience in their communities. Participants will also strengthen their leadership and teamwork skills through mentoring from experts.

Additionally, the workshop serves as a cross-border platform for exchanging knowledge and fostering regional collaboration through engaging in interactive group work sessions and exploring various networking opportunities.

The workshop in Jakarta includes the following activities:

• 10 September: Opening ceremony, sessions from sea and human security experts
• 11 September: Sessions from experts on environmental security, and gender and inclusivity
• 12 September: Coastal and natural resource management study tour in Tangerang (guided tour of Ketapang Urban Aquaculture, guided tour of Mangrove Conservation Area, and an interactive workshop)
• 13 September: Sessions from experts on maritime security, and food security
• 14 September: Study Tour at PT Pelindo Indonesia (introductory session by PT Pelindo Indonesia and guided tour of PT Pelindo Indonesia facilities)
• 16 September: Sessions from experts on climate security, disaster risk reduction, human rights and equity, and youth empowerment
• 17 September: Sessions from experts on blue economy, blue finance, and fundraising
• 18 September: Sessions from experts on leadership development
• 19 September: Graduation Ceremony

"Leaders for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific: Sea and Human Security (FOIP)" training programme, implemented by UNITAR and funded by the Government and People of Japan, runs from June 2024 to February 2025. The primary aim of the FOIP programme is to provide participants with the skills, and knowledge to enhance climate, social, economic, food and maritime security and to establish a coordination mechanism across the Indo-Pacific. The FOIP programme is part of the broader "Shimanami Collective" initiative, a Japan-supported series of training programs which aims to build resilience against disasters and enhance sea and human security, with a particular focus on empowering youth and women in the Asia-Pacific region.

In the first phase of the FOIP training programme, which ended in August 2024, over 400 learners successfully completed two month online learning. For the second phase, UNITAR will conduct two workshops: one in Jakarta, Indonesia, in September 2024, for Asian participants, and another in Nadi, Fiji, in October 2024, for Pacific participants. This phase will provide a total of 160 leaders with hands-on learning opportunities. The third and last phase will invite top 50 performers to an in-person workshop in Japan, scheduled for February 2025.