Indonesia, the Philippines Sign Four Cooperation Documents

President Jokowi and Philippine President Marcos Jr witness the signing of the MoU between the two countries at the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java province, Monday (09/05). (Photo by: PR/Rahmat)

Indonesia and the Philippines signed four cooperation documents in various fields on Monday (09/05), at the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java province.

The four documents are as follows:

1. The 2022-2027 Indonesia-Philippines Plan of Action (PoA)

This action plan is a strategic document that serves as a reference for efforts to improve bilateral cooperation between the two countries. The action plan covers various concrete strategic activities in the fields of politics, law and security, economy, culture, tourism, consular affairs, protection, and mutual support for candidacy in international institutions. This document was signed by Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi and Philippine Foreign Minister Enrique A. Manalo.

2. Agreement on Cooperative Activities in the Field of Defense and Security

This agreement is an update of the Indonesia-Philippines defense cooperation agreement signed in 1997. The area of cooperation includes joint exercises and operations, development of human resources, development of defense technology, and logistical cooperation to achieve security in the territories of the two countries. This document was signed by the Indonesian Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto and the Acting Secretary of National Defense of the Philippines Jose Faustino Jr.

3. Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cultural Cooperation

This MoU aims to develop cultural cooperation such as participation in arts festivals (films, music, book fairs, etc.), translation of literary works, prevention of illegal trade in cultural objects, and other agreed cooperation. This document was signed by Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi and the Philippines Foreign Minister Enrique A. Manalo.

4. MoU for Cooperation in the Development and Promotion of the Creative Economy

The MoU seeks to facilitate cooperation in the development and promotion of the creative industries of the two countries covering creative services, audio-visual, art, books, media, and other agreed forms. Both countries will form Indonesia–the Philippines Joint Task Force to monitor and evaluate the implementation. The document was signed by Indonesian Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno and Secretary of Trade and Industry of the Philippines Alfredo E. Pascual. (TGH/UN) (FI/LW)