In 2023, Indonesia officially holds the chairmanship of the ASEAN Smart City Network (ASCN) or the ASEAN Smart City Network. During this period, the Government of Indonesia highlighted the importance of innovation and industry in the development of smart city governance.
This is considered to be in line with the momentum of implementation of Government Regulation (PP) Number 59 of 2022 concerning Cities, as well as various good practices in the regions that can be replicated not only nationally, but also internationally. "The development of smart cities is currently facing challenges in the midst of opportunities for city and community needs for competitive economic competitiveness, and a sustainable environment. Therefore, innovation and industry are needed which can be a stimulus and reference in carrying out innovative, effective urban services. , and efficiently so that it can contribute to the economic growth of the country, region and the world," said the Director General (Dirjen) of Regional Administration Development (Adwil) of the Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri) Safrizal ZA virtually when opening the ASEAN Smart Cities Network (ASCN) Agenda Discussion I in Jakarta, Tuesday (7/3/2023).
Safrizal as the National Representative of Indonesia and Chairman of ASCN 2023 said that the discussion forum highlighted several strategic issues related to the smart city scheme. These include safety and security, built infrastructure, quality environment, civic and social, as well as health and well-being. "In addition to involving 10 National Representatives from 10 ASEAN Member Countries and 26 Chief Smart City Officers (CSCO) in ASEAN, this activity was also attended by observers from various private sectors so as to immediately open investment opportunities and succeed in Indonesia's chairmanship in 2023," continued Safrizal.
Substantively, the discussion series I was attended by the Director Connectivity Division of the ASEAN Secretariat. The event was also followed by a presentation session and panel discussion by Plt. Head of DKI Jakarta Province Diskominfo, Head of Banyuwangi District Diskominfo, Ministry of Transport and Infocommunication Brunei Darrusalam, and Executive Director Center for Liveable Cities Ministry of National Development Singapore. "This first round of discussion will continue in several follow-up rounds of series II: safety and security at the end of next April. Until the peak in October 2023, the 2023 ASCN Annual Meeting will be held in Bali which will later accompany the 2023 ASEAN Summit," closed Safrizal.
