Indonesia, New Zealand to Deepen Cooperation in Pacific

Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno L.P Marsudi and Deputy Prime Minister/Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand Winston Peters at the Joint Ministerial Commission, Auckland (07/30).

Indonesia is ready to continue strengthening cooperation with New Zealand in the economic and development sectors in the Pacific, Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno L.P Marsudi has said.

“New Zealand is one of Indonesia’s important partners in the Pacific, be it in the bilateral or regional context,” Retno said at the Joint Ministerial Commission with Deputy Prime Minister/Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand Winston Peters, Auckland (07/30).

According to Retno, the meeting discussed bilateral, regional, and global issues, including the issues of Myanmar and Palestine. She also stated at the beginning of the meeting that a stable, peaceful, and prosperous Pacific is the key to a stable, peaceful, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

On bilateral cooperation, the two Ministers discussed six main points:

First, the Ministers underscored the importance of enhancing people-to-people connections as a basis for a strong bilateral relationship. The two countries have just finalized the Amendment Protocol of the Education Cooperation Arrangement and it is ready to be signed. In addition, a Working Holiday Visa agreement proposal is being discussed.

Second, on trade, investment, and economic cooperation, the trade volume between the two countries has increased by more than 13 percent in the last five years but has decreased in the last year.

The discussion on trade, investment, and economic cooperation are as follows: Signing of quarantine arrangements to better facilitate trade in agricultural products between two countries, Utilization of Regional Seasonal Employment scheme to send seasonal plantation workers to New Zealand, Cooperation in the halal sector and increased investment in energy, tourism, and food security sectors, and Funding commitment of NZ$15.7 million for geothermal energy cooperation under the Indonesia-Aotearoa New Zealand Geothermal Energy Programme/PINZ scheme.

Third, on development cooperation, the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of New Zealand have signed the Statement of Partnership for 2024-2026. In addition, Indonesia invited New Zealand to cooperate in developing triangular projects in the Pacific region, including the Regional Agricultural Training Center in Raki-Raki, Fiji.

Fourth, on security cooperation, the two Ministers discussed handling cross-border crimes, counter-terrorism, cyber and maritime security, a world free of nuclear weapons, and non-traditional security threats. In addition, the Bilateral Defense Talk will be held in Jakarta in September this year.

Fifth, on advancement of human rights, the two countries agreed to work hand-in-hand to advance human rights, especially through the Human Rights Council. Retno also expressed appreciation for New Zealand’s support for Indonesia’s candidacy to the Human Rights Council last year.

Sixth, the two Ministers discussed environmental cooperation, including: Cooperation in geothermal energy through the Kamojang project in Garut since the 1970s, Cooperation to achieve the target of zero carbon emissions before 2060, and Signing of the MoU on cooperation in renewable energy and energy conservation in September.

In addition to bilateral issues, the two Ministers also discussed regional and global issues, including the Pacific Exposition exhibition which was first jointly held five years ago, Indonesia’s commitment to the Pacific through strengthening collaboration with the Melanesian Spearhead Group and the Pacific Islands Forum, and New Zealand’s support in the process of Indonesia’s membership application at the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

At the end of the meeting, the two Ministers signed the Plan of Action of the Indonesia-New Zealand Comprehensive Partnership for 2025-2029, which contains various priority issues and cooperation under the framework of the Comprehensive Partnership of the two countries. (PR of Ministry of Foreign Affairs/DNS) (GWH/MUR)