Indonesia-Africa Forum Held Next Month: Encourage Strengthening Cooperation In Economic, Energy And Health Sectors

JAKARTA - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia Pahala Mansury said Indonesia would again hold the Indonesia-Africa Forum which is planned to be held in Bali next month.

Carrying the theme 'Bandung Spirit for Africa's Agenda 2063', the 2nd Indonesia-Africa Forum will be held on September 1-3. Previously, the Indonesia-Africa Forum was held in 2018.

"Indonesia has a historical close relationship with countries in Africa," said the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, in a statement in Jakarta, Thursday, August 8, adding that next year the Asian Africa Conference will turn 75 years old.

He explained that in the economic sector, Indonesia and African countries have the same thoughts or spirit among developing countries, Global South, such as the right to develop added value resulting from the natural wealth owned by developing countries, as well as the existence of a just energy transition. "Don't let developing countries only become spectators," he said.

Currently, Africa has about 10 percent of the world's oil reserves, 8 percent of the world's gas, 55 percent of the world's cobalt reserves, 40 percent of manga reserves, 22 percent of graphite reserves

In addition, Africa will be a strategic area for diversification, a large market for export purposes, commodity supplies such as oil and gas and critical minerals, as well as the goal of outbound investment.

"One of the non-traditional markets that we have to build is the African market. As one of the markets that will continue to grow. Not only from the jummlah pasa. But GDP is currently Africa and Indonesia combined, it has a total GDP of approximately 4.4 trillion US dollars," explained the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.

"This is a fairly large market, which if we work together to be able to build an industry, supply chain," he continued.

He said, Indonesia and Africa have the same agenda. Indonesia has a vision of Indonesia Gold 2045. Meanwhile, Africa has an Africa 2063 Agenda.

Targeting a US $ 3.5 billion business agreement, this forum plans to target 800 participants from government representatives, international organizations, regionals, and businesses from Indonesia and Africa.

"We have received confirmation for five heads of state or heads of government to attend. But we are still waiting for the confirmation. God willing, there will be more," said the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.

"So far there has been confirmation of 13 ministers from African countries who will attend from the forum," he added.

There are also priority issues that will be discussed in the forum later, namely food security, health security, energy security and mineral security.

"The global social cooperation between Indonesia and Africa will be strategic in the future to build food security, energy security and security in the health sector," explained Pahala.

It is known that the first Indonesia-Africa Forum was held in 20218. At that time, approximately 233 delegates were present from 47 African countries and resulted in a business agreement of around 500 million US dollars.

A year later, Indonesia held the Indonesia-Africa Infrastructure Dialogue in 2019. At that time, infrastructure development was discussed, especially in African countries, resulting in a business agreement of around 800 million US dollars.