Receiving President Jokowi, Joe Biden: Both Countries Work Together to Fight the Climate Crisis and Support Regional Peace

JAKARTA - President Joe Biden discussed a number of matters of cooperation between Indonesia and the United States, when he met President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) at the White House, Washington D.C, Monday local time.

President Biden received President Jokowi in the Oval Office, White House, before the two leaders attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco this week.

"Today, I met with President Joko Widodo from Indonesia," wrote President Biden on social media X, Tuesday, November 14.

"As we approach the 75th year of our diplomatic relations, the two countries are working together to combat the climate crisis, improve economic prosperity, and support regional peace," he continued.

As previously reported, the two leaders are expected to agree on a number of new cooperation between the two countries, such as in the field of defense, including cyber security, space, joint exercises, and nuclear threats, according to a senior official in President Biden's administration who declined to be named.

On climate, the United States will announce joint steps with the Southeast Asian country on carbon capture and storage, supporting the power grid, and improving air quality.

"The president will also ask Indonesia to play a bigger role and help us in the Middle East," said the US official, without explaining further what the impact of expanding this role would be, as reported by Reuters, November 14.

Previously, President Jokowi would also highlight the crisis in Gaza in this meeting, apart from conveying the results of the OIC Summit and the message of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

"Indonesia calls on the US to do more to stop the atrocities in Gaza. A ceasefire is a necessity for humanity," said President Jokowi in the Oval Office before holding talks with President Biden.

Meanwhile, in a press statement on Sunday, President Jokowi emphasized the importance of an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and accelerating humanitarian assistance.

"I will also convey a message from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas who asked me specifically to convey it to President Biden," said President Jokowi.

"A ceasefire must be realized immediately, humanitarian aid must be accelerated and increased, peace negotiations must begin immediately, public facilities and humanitarian activities must not be the target of attacks, and Israel must be held accountable for the atrocities it has committed," he stressed.