Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and His Excellency Mr Prabowo Subianto, President of the Republic of Indonesia, met today in Jakarta for the Australia-Indonesia Annual Leaders' Meeting and issued a Joint Communiqué.
This is Prime Minister Albanese's fourth visit to Indonesia as Prime Minister, and first overseas bilateral opportunity in the Government's second term.
In the context of an uncertain global economic and strategic outlook, the two leaders discussed how Australia and Indonesia can expand and deepen cooperation in a spirit of true partnership under our bilateral Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Australia is committed to boosting trade and investment in the region through Invested: Australia's Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040(link is external). The strategy is supporting Australian businesses to take advantage of trade and investment opportunities in Indonesian healthcare, renewable energy, agriculture, infrastructure and mining industries-broadening our strong and mutually beneficial economic relationship.
The two leaders agreed to review and expand the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA), the centrepiece of our economic relationship, to take into account new opportunities for economic growth powered by the net zero transition, critical and emerging minerals and technologies, and digital trade.
Building on the momentum of the Australia-Indonesia Defence Cooperation Agreement signed last year, Prime Minister Albanese announced a number of initiatives to build the security relationship, including:
- $15 million over four years to enhance our maritime cooperation, including establishing an annual officials-level dialogue on maritime issues
- supporting the Indonesian military to commence training in the Northern Territory later this year
- $3.5 million for a clinical anti-malaria drug trial for the Indonesian military.
Australia is committed to strengthening our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and partnering with Indonesia on its domestic priorities to bolster regional stability and the health security of both countries, including:
- $100 million to strengthen Indonesia's health system, and its ability to prevent, detect and respond to human and animal infectious diseases
- Supporting Indonesia's sovereign wealth fund Danantara to join the International Forum of Sovereign Wealth Funds and inviting it to conduct a roadshow in Australia
- $50 million to the Fund for Green Infrastructure under the Australia-Indonesia Climate and Infrastructure Partnership (KINETIK), to incentivise investment in green infrastructure and clean energy projects in Indonesia
- Doubling the number of participating scholars and institutions under Australia's Indonesian Language Learning Ambassadors program, and
- Supporting Indonesia's Garuda Schools Program though 10 scholarships for students to study a Masters of Education in Australia.
Leaders welcomed enhanced cooperation between Football Australia and the Football Federation of Indonesia (PSSI), which could include major event opportunities and women's football mentorship.
Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
"I am pleased to again make Indonesia my first bilateral leaders' meeting in this new term of Government, reflecting the high priority I accord to this vital relationship.
"Australia and Indonesia are indispensable partners-we're working together as neighbours and as partners committed to a secure, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
"Our two great nations continue to invest in each other through our strong trade relationship, creating economic opportunity and deepening the bonds between us.
"I am proud of the enduring friendship between Australia and Indonesia, and I look forward to working closely with President Prabowo on our countries' shared priorities."
