Indonesia vows to enhance cooperation with African countries
The Indonesian Foreign Ministry has reaffirmed its commitment to boosting cooperation with African nations, focusing on health and energy, ahead of the second Indonesia-Africa Forum (IAF) which will take place in September in Indonesia.
A technician demonstrates a miniature medical gas installation at the 2024 National Quality Infrastructure Festival in Jakarta on August 12, 2024. (Photo: en.antaranews.com)
Jakarta (VNA)🎃 – The Indonesian Foreign Ministry has reaffirmed its commitment to boosting cooperation with African nations, focusing on health and energy, ahead of the second Indonesia-Africa Forum (IAF) which will take place in September in Indonesia.
Siti Nugraha Mauludiah, the ministry’s Director General of Information and Public Diplomacy, said that Indonesia is committed to enhancing development cooperation with African countries as an equal and reliable partner.
Indonesia has actively engaged in South-South and Triangular Cooperation (KSST) over the past decade, implementing around 60 programmes involving 500 participants from Africa. These efforts span various sectors, including agriculture, health, energy, infrastructure, and trade.
Mauludiah highlighted Indonesia's growing recognition as a trusted development partner and newly acknowledged donor country. This commitment is reflected in the establishment of the International Development Cooperation Fund (LDKPI) or Indonesia AID in 2019, which has extended assistance to 23 African countries, focusing on food security, health, and energy.
Notable contributions include food aid to drought-hit regions in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Madagascar, health support to Mozambique and Zimbabwe, and solar energy training in several African nations.
The upcoming IAF, themed "Bandung Spirit for Africa's 2063 Agenda", will further strengthen Indonesia-Africa relations and promote shared prosperity. ./.
The 2nd Indonesia-Africa Forum, scheduled to take place on September 1 - 3 in Bali, is set to discuss the strengthening of cooperation for development in Africa.
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Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said on September 23 that he explored opportunities for cooperation with South Africa while meeting with Minister for Trade, Industry and Competition Ebrahim Patel at the G20 Trade, Investment, and Industry Ministerial Meeting.
Malaysia, as ASEAN 2025 Chair, marked the bloc’s 58th founding anniversary on August 8 with a vibrant celebration in Cyberjaya, blending an official ceremony with a colorful cultural festival.
Vietnam plays an important role in Southeast Asia’s economic growth and is a key partner of her country in realising the shared vision of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region, said Robyn Mudie, First Assistant Secretary of Office of Southeast Asia (OSA) – Southeast Asia Regional and Mainland Division at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
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Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce and rice exporters are devising strategic plans to boost rice exports amid global market fluctuations, focusing on key markets and adjusting output.
The focus of the upcoming ASEAN Summit in October will be on strengthening economic relations through intra-regional trade and investment, as well as regional initiatives on energy networks and connectivity.
Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
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Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has outlined a six-point strategy to promote innovation, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and push for Thailand's removal from the US Trade Representative (USTR)’s special 301 Watch List regarding intellectual property rights protection among trading partners.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The 30-storey tower crumbled seconds after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The partially built high-rise, meant to house the State Audit Office (SAO), was the only building in Thailand to collapse, killing 89 people on the site, mostly construction workers.
Indonesia’s waste generation is projected to exceed 50 million tonnes in 2025. Of the total, more than 20 million tonnes could potentially enter the ocean through rivers, coastal areas, small islands, ports, and marine activities, and thereby, pose a risk to coastal ecosystems and marine biota.
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Malaysia’s gross expenditure on R&D (GERD) reached 1.01% of gross domestic product in 2022, a notable increase, with more than 51% contributed by the industry sector. The country is targeting GERD to reach 2.5% by 2030, in line with the national goal of transforming into a high-technology nation.
