President Jokowi Opens 2nd Indonesia Africa Forum (IAF) in Bali
President Jokowi on Monday (09/02) officially opens the Joint Leaders’ Session of the High Level Forum on Multi Stakeholder Partnership (HLF MSP) and the 2nd Indonesia Africa Forum (IAF), in Nusa Dua, Badung, Bali. (Photo by: Press Bureau of Presidential Secretariat/Muchlis Jr)
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on Monday (09/02) officially opened the Joint Leaders’ Session of the High Level Forum on Multi Stakeholder Partnership (HLF MSP) and the 2nd Indonesia Africa Forum (IAF) in Nusa Dua, Badung, Bali.
“Welcome to Bali, Indonesia, and thank you for your presence at the High Level Forum on Multi-Stakeholder Partnership and the Second Indonesia-Africa Forum,” the President said in his remarks.
The President stated that the presence of state leaders and international organizations showed the commitment to change in the midst of a world full of challenges, including economic slowdown, unemployment, inflation rate, as well as ongoing geopolitical tension that has caused many casualties and disrupted the global supply chain.
The President went on to say that in a period when international solidarity was declining, the spirit of multilateralism was increasingly sidelined, and fragmentation was widening.
“Ultimately, developing countries are the most affected. Millions of people in developing countries are the ones who face the most difficult challenges. We have only six years left until 2030 and only 17 percent of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) target has been achieved,” the President said.
According to the President, a new direction and vision, a new strategy, and new strategic measures are pivotal to achieve more equitable and inclusive development for developing countries.
“First, achieving the SDGs target must remain the main focus of global development that is aligned with national and regional development priorities, including the Africa’s Agenda 2063. The endeavor must be supported by multi-stakeholder partnerships,” he said.
On that occasion, President Jokowi reaffirmed Indonesia’s commitment to playing role in providing the global solution, defending the interests of the Global South, as well as being a bridge builder in fighting for equality, justice, and solidarity in accelerating the achievement of the SDGs.
According to the President, Indonesia is ready to work with all parties, especially with the African region countries in achieving the target of the global development agenda.
“The Indonesia-Africa partnership have achieved concrete results, bringing a rapid increase in trade volume and enhancing trade agreements. In fact, this year’s Indonesia-Africa Forum has recorded business agreements worth US$3.5 billion. The value is sixfold higher than that of the first IAF in 2018,” the President said.
President Jokowi further said that the global solidarity needs to be revived to enhance South-South Cooperation as well as North-South Cooperation. According to the President, next year Indonesia will hold the Platinum Jubilee of the Asian-African Conference to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Asia Africa Summit.
“Your Excellencies, I hereby open the Joint Leaders’ Session of the High Level Forum on Multi Stakeholder Partnership and the 2nd Indonesia Africa Forum,” the President remarked. (FID/ABD) (RI/LW)
