JAKARTA - Foreign Minister Sugiono encouraged the acceleration of the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (I-EU CEPA) to green cooperation in a series of bilateral meetings with partners on the sidelines of the 59th ASEAN Foreign Minister's Meeting, Post-Ministerial Conferences and Related Meetings (AMM-PMC) in Manila, Philippines. last week.
During a meeting with his counterpart, Foreign Minister Winston Peters, Foreign Minister Sugiono encouraged Indonesia's strategic partnership with New Zealand, ranging from defense to national priority programs such as Free Nutritious Meals (MBG).
"New Zealand is Indonesia's close partner in the Pacific region. I welcome the commitment of both countries to bring this partnership to a higher level, ranging from defense cooperation to support for Indonesia's national priority programs," said Foreign Minister Sugiono, launching the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Monday (27/7).
The strengthening of partnerships is focused on a number of areas, namely defense, the implementation of the Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC), and cooperation in meeting the nutritional needs of school-age children. Foreign Minister Peters conveyed New Zealand's support and readiness to assist the Indonesian Government in its efforts to meet the nutritional needs of children, including support for the Free Nutritional Meal (MBG) Program. In the field of defense, the two foreign ministers support the strengthening of cooperation between the two countries, including through the establishment of a Navy-to-Navy Talks forum and the exploration of a Defense Cooperation Arrangement.
The two foreign ministers also agreed to hold the 13th JMC RI-New Zealand, a forum at the level of the Minister of Foreign Affairs which is an important forum to review the progress of bilateral cooperation and encourage closer collaboration at the regional and global levels, at the end of August 2026 in New Zealand.
Meanwhile, in a meeting with the Head of Foreign Policy of the European Union Kaja Kallas, Foreign Minister Sugiono encouraged the acceleration of the signing of the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (Indonesia-EU CEPA) to energy transition, in addition to discussing regional and global issues that emphasize the completion of dialogue and diplomacy for sustainable peace.
"The signing of the Indonesia-EU CEPA is very strategic to strengthen trade, investment, and economic partnership between Indonesia and the European Union," said Foreign Minister Sugiono at the meeting.
Indonesia and the European Union also agreed to strengthen cooperation in the energy sector, especially energy transition, renewable energy, and sustainable investment.
"Indonesia has great potential in the development of renewable energy. Cooperation with the European Union is important in realizing this potential," said Foreign Minister Sugiono.
In a meeting with Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide, Foreign Minister Sugiono discussed green cooperation with a focus on environmental issues, marine cultivation and energy transition. In the economic field, the two ministers agreed to encourage increased cooperation in the aquaculture sector, including the development of technology and sustainable fishing practices.
The two also discussed strengthening partnerships in the field of energy transition, as well as strengthening the agenda for Indonesia's energy and fertilizer independence.
"In this case, Indonesia continues to encourage investment, innovation, and technology development cooperation with Norway," said Foreign Minister Sugiono.
On this occasion, Foreign Minister Sugiono also expressed his appreciation for the Indonesia-Norway partnership in the field of forestry which has made a real contribution to forest protection efforts and climate action.
The two ministers also discussed opportunities to strengthen cooperation through the use of satellite imagery licenses to support forest monitoring, natural resource management, and sustainable development. The Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs emphasized the importance of Indonesia's role as one of the lungs of the world and a strategic partner in global efforts to address climate change.
In addition to bilateral relations, both parties also emphasized the importance of strengthening multilateralism and supporting the reform efforts of the United Nations system.
"Indonesia continues to encourage comprehensive multilateral reform to make the UN more responsive, effective, and able to respond to global challenges," explained the Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The preparation for the Indonesia-Canada Bilateral Consultative Forum meeting was discussed by Foreign Minister Sugiono with Foreign Minister Anita Anand. The forum will be used as a platform to identify various new opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.
"We are committed to ensuring that the bilateral relationship between Indonesia and Canada not only grows quantitatively, but also is oriented towards tangible results that have a direct impact on the prosperity of the people of both countries," said Foreign Minister Sugiono, when the partnership between the two countries will be 75 years in 2027.
Both parties also emphasized the importance of immediately completing the 2026-2029 Action Plan (Plan of Action) as a guide for implementing bilateral cooperation that is more focused, productive, and strategic.
In the economic field, Indonesia and Canada agreed to continue to encourage the increase in trade and investment, in connection with the implementation of the Indonesia-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (ICA-CEPA).
When meeting with Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, Foreign Minister Sugiono discussed strengthening multi-sectoral cooperation between Indonesia and Egypt, highlighting opportunities to strengthen bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, industry, education (increasing scholarship opportunities for Indonesian students and developing cooperation between higher education institutions of the two countries), health, energy and research.
The two ministers also emphasized their commitment to continue strengthening the implementation of the Indonesia-Egypt Strategic Partnership through existing bilateral mechanisms.
"This is important to accelerate the realization of mutually beneficial Indonesian-Egyptian cooperation," said Foreign Minister Sugiono.
The two ministers also exchanged views on the development of regional and global situations, and emphasized the importance of resolving various challenges through dialogue, cooperation, and respect for international law, in addition to discussing preparations for President Abdel Fattal el-Sisi's visit to Indonesia which is expected to produce various concrete achievements that further strengthen bilateral relations between Indonesia and Egypt.
Meanwhile, in a bilateral meeting with Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko, Foreign Minister Sugiono agreed to hold a Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) RI-PNG as part of the establishment of the Strategic Partnership which is planned to be held in early September 2026 in Jakarta. This forum will be the main forum to review the achievements of bilateral cooperation in a comprehensive manner and determine the direction of the partnership between the two countries in the future.
The two foreign ministers also emphasized the importance of accelerating the implementation of various cooperation agreements that have been signed, including in the fields of defense and border management, to ensure that cooperation provides tangible benefits for the people of both countries, especially in border areas.
The two foreign ministers also discussed high-level visits, including Papua New Guinea's expectations for the Indonesian President's visit to Papua New Guinea in early 2027.
In the field of development cooperation, the two ministers discussed the sustainability of Indonesia's assistance program for the renovation of hospitals in Papua New Guinea.
"Indonesia is a development partner for Papua New Guinea. Our commitment is to ensure that this cooperation continues to provide tangible benefits for the people of Papua New Guinea," said Foreign Minister Sugiono.
In turn, Foreign Minister Tkatchenko reiterated the full support of the Government of Papua New Guinea for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Indonesia. Both ministers confirmed their commitment to continue strengthening the friendly and mutually beneficial bilateral relations between the two neighboring countries.
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