Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia at the Joint Leaders’ Session of the High Level Forum on Multi Stakeholders Partnership (HLF MSP) and the 2nd Indonesia-Africa Forum (IAF) 2024, at the Mulia Nusa Dua Hotel, Badung Regency, Bali Province, September 2, 2024

Your Excellencies,

Distinguished leaders of countries, leaders of international organizations, and delegates,

Welcome to Bali, Indonesia, and thank you for attending the High Level Forum on Multi Stakeholders Partnership and the Second Indonesia-Africa Forum.

We all want to create positive changes in a world full of challenges, either challenges related to the economic slowdown, unemployment and inflation rates that have not improved, or ongoing geopolitical tensions that have caused many casualties and disrupted the global supply chain.

As a matter of fact, it is very unfortunate that at a time like this, international solidarity is actually declining, the spirit of multilateralism is increasingly being sidelined, and fragmentation is widening. And in the end, developing countries become the ones most affected. Millions of people in developing countries are the ones who suffer the most hardship. In fact, there are only six years left until 2030 and only 17 percent of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) target has been achieved. Therefore, we need new direction and vision, we need a new strategy, we need new tactical steps to realize a more equitable and inclusive development for developing countries.

To that end, I would like to emphasize four points.

First, achieving the SDGs target must remain the main focus of global development that is aligned with national and regional development priorities, including the 2063 Africa agenda and supported by multi-party partnerships.

Second, Indonesia is committed to being part of 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. This is a commitment that Indonesia has consistently upheld since the Asia Africa Conference 69 years ago.

Third, Indonesia is ready to partner with anyone, especially with the African region as the key to the global development agenda. The results of the Indonesia-Africa partnership so far have been very real, bringing a rapid increase in trade volume and various trade agreements. In fact, this year’s Indonesia-Africa Forum (IAF) has recorded business deals worth US$3.5 billion, almost six times more than the first IAF in 2018.

Fourth, global solidarity needs to be revived to enhance South-South Cooperation to enhance North-South Cooperation, so that we can complement each other and work together to overcome global challenges.

And with the same spirit next year, Indonesia will hold the Platinum Jubilee of the Asian-African Conference, commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Asia Africa Summit.

Your Excellencies, I hereby declare the Joint Leaders’ Forum High-Level Multi-Stakeholder Partnership and the 2nd Indonesia-Africa Forum session open.

(TM/LW)