Indonesia appoints Pacific advocate

PACIFIC – Indonesia has appointed one of its main regional heads of mission to a new role as roving ambassador in the Pacific.

Tantowi Yahya, the ambassador to New Zealand, Samoa and Tonga, is now also the Indonesian Ambassador to the Pacific.

The Wellington-based diplomat said his new role was aimed at increasing Indonesia’s presence in the Pacific.

This is to be done through strengthening of economic, political, and people-to-people links with countries and territories in the region.

Tantowi Yahya was a driving force behind the launch last year of Jakarta’s ‘Pacific Elevation’ strategy for greater connectivity with Pacific Islands countries.

According to Kumpuran News, the ambassadorial appointment by Indonesia’s foreign ministry comes as it develops its Indo-Pacific Outlook.

The outlook is a framework for diplomacy focussing on several areas of co-operation relevant to the development of regional dynamics.

These include maritime, connectivity, and the sustainable development agenda.