Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi: Indonesia Is Ready To Support Africa's Agenda At The Global Level

JAKARTA - Indonesian Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi said Indonesia is ready to advance cooperation in various fields with African countries.

This he said on the sidelines of the signing of the Grant Agreement between Indonesia and Mozambique and Zimbabwe conducted at the Office of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jakarta, Tuesday, April 13.

Retno Marsudi explained that this grant agreement is a manifestation of Indonesia's true friendship with the two African countries, along with Typhoon Idai which hit both countries and caused severe damage.

"In the past, we faced colonialism. Today, we face a shared challenge, climate change. A powerful typhoon that brings enormous shock", Retno Marsudi said in a virtual press statement.

"The post-disaster recovery process takes time to alleviate people's suffering, rebuild infrastructure, and restore the economy", he continued.

Therefore, he continued, always invite all countries to stand together, share the burden, to overcome natural disasters plus the coronavirus pandemic that is not over, to come out together and solve existing problems.

In relation to Indonesia's support for Africa, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said a number of steps were taken by Indonesia to promote and support Africa.

"A number of initiations conducted by Indonesia include, among others, the New Asia-Africa Partnership, the Indonesia-Africa Forum in 2018, and the Indonesia Africa Infrastructure Dialogue in 2019", he said.

Added by him, Indonesia is also committed to supporting Africa's agenda at the global level, including the G20 Africa Partnership and Agenda 2063 in Africa through the Agreement with Africa.

"In the future, our strong bond must also be reflected in our efforts to address current challenges, including natural disasters and COVID-19 mitigation efforts. And, Indonesia is ready to establish a long-term relationship with Africa as a future development partner", he concluded.

The signing of the grant agreement was made between Mozambique's Ambassador to Indonesia Belmiro Jose Malate and the Director-General of Financing and Risk Management of the Indonesian Ministry of Finance Luky Alfirman. Also, Zimbabwe's Ambassador to Indonesia Sophia Nyamudeza Director-General of Financing and Risk Management of the Indonesian Ministry of Finance Luky Alfirman.