Ministry of Foreign Affairs ensures Indonesia is committed to strengthening South-South cooperation

JAKARTA - Indonesia is committed to deepening and strengthening development cooperation, as part of South-South Cooperation as well as part of economic diplomacy, said the Director General of Economic Relations and Development Cooperation (HEKSP) of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Daniel Tumpal Sumurung Simanjuntak.

Speaking at a media gathering on Thursday in Jakarta, Ambassador Tumpal emphasized that Indonesia is committed to strengthening development cooperation, amid global trends that show a reduction in aid and development cooperation.

As part of economic diplomacy, Ambassador Tumpal said it was important to strengthen development cooperation.

"As I said earlier, Indonesia remains committed to continue strengthening South-South Cooperation," explained Ambassador Tumpal.

"In the midst of various reductions in development cooperation in various countries, Indonesia remains committed to strengthening and deepening this," he said.

South-South Cooperation is a collaboration and exchange of resources, technology, expertise and knowledge among developing countries.

According to Ambassador Tumpal, in addition to increasing the capacity and development of partner countries, development cooperation can also be an instrument to strengthen mutually beneficial economic cooperation.

"This cooperation in development, in addition to strengthening development in various ways, can also strengthen economic cooperation that is win-win," he explained.

One of the latest development cooperation carried out by Indonesia is the reopening of an agricultural training center in Gambia as a manifestation of Jakarta's commitment to strengthening food security in the region.

The reopening of the Agricultural Rural Farmers Training Center (ARFTC) in Jenoi as an agricultural training center and food security driver in West Africa was carried out by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia Arrmanatha Nasir together with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Gambian Citizens Abroad Sering Modou Njie on July 1, on the sidelines of the 2nd Joint Commission Meeting of the Republic of Indonesia-Gambia in Banjul.

Almost three decades as a symbol of friendship between the two countries, ARFTC is now back in operation after being revitalized through the support of the Indonesian Government, marking a new phase of development cooperation that has a real impact on the region.

"The inauguration of the ARFTC is not merely a sign of infrastructure rejuvenation. This is an update of Indonesia's commitment to continue to work with Gambia in strengthening food security, building capacity, and sharing knowledge that will benefit future generations," explained Wamenlu Tata at that time.

It is known that ARFTC was established in 1996, initiated through cooperation between the Indonesian Government, the Indonesian Agricultural Community Charity Foundation (YAMPI), and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Since its inception, ARFTC has become a training center for more than 6,000 farmers and agricultural extension workers from The Gambia and various West African countries, such as Guinea, Liberia, Mali, and Senegal.

"Indonesia is exploring the potential for collaboration with other development partner countries through the South-South and Triangular Cooperation schemes to organize various agricultural training in ARFTC Jenoi for African countries," said Wamenlu Tata.

The revitalization of ARFTC confirms Indonesia's commitment to bringing about development cooperation that has a real impact.

In the future, ARFTC is expected to develop as a regional center of excellence that strengthens agricultural innovation, human resource development, and food security in West Africa.