Jakarta’s TEMPO.CO – The Indonesian government believed that the cooperative atmosphere shown during the G20 Presidency’s series of talks may continue at the APEC Summit in Bangkok, Thailand, in 2022.
In his opening remarks during a bilateral meeting with the prime minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern, on Friday, November 18, 2022 in Bangkok, Thailand, President Jokowi said, “APEC must be part of measures to expedite economic recovery in the Asia and Pacific region.”
According to a press release from the Press, Media and Information Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat that was delivered to Jakarta on Friday, Jokowi and Ardern spoke about three key issues: enhancing economic cooperation, working together on the energy transition, and enhancing cooperation in the Pacific.
According to Jokowi, “We need to promote market access for commerce between the two nations [Indonesia and New Zealand], particularly in agricultural commodities, minerals, iron and steel, and plastics, as well as cooperation in agriculture and halal certification.
Jokowi said that Indonesia is still stepping up its use of new and renewable energy in the area of energy transition cooperation. He said, “I welcome New Zealand companies to participate in Indonesia’s geothermal energy development.
In the meanwhile, Indonesia is dedicated to advancing development cooperation in the Pacific area on the level of regional collaboration. Indonesia will thus support Pacific nations joining the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in 2023. (ASEAN).
In the Indo-Pacific area, Jokowi said, “I want New Zealand to be able to become a bridge linking the connection between ASEAN and the Pacific.”
While this was going on, Ardern thanked Indonesia for hosting the G20 and wished it well when ASEAN takes over as chairman in 2023. Ardern said that “New Zealand is prepared to support Indonesia’s leadership in ASEAN next year.
