Statement of President of the Republic of Indonesia during Annual Leaders’ Meeting, Sydney, Australia, July 4, 2023

Thank you, Prime Minister Albanese for the warm welcome. I am very glad to be able to visit Australia again. Since last year’s Annual Leaders’ Meeting in Bogor, there have been many positive developments. And I thank you for your commitments. There are some future priorities that we need to do together, among others:

First, Indonesia and Australia must build a more substantive and strategic economic cooperation through the joint production of EV batteries.

Second, on trade. Since Indonesia-Australia CEPA (Indonesia–Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement) entered into force, the trade volume has increased by 90 percent. This will continue to be optimized through cooperation in mutual recognition agreement on fisheries product, quarantine, and fruits inspections as well as increasing the capacities of MSMEs.

Third, on carbon emission reduction. We will focus on encouraging cooperation on the development of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) as well as green energy-oriented smelters in Indonesia.

Fourth, on the construction of Nusantara Capital City. Indonesia encourages Australia’s private sector and National Capital Authority of Australia to work together with the Nusantara Capital City Authority.

On regional and global issues, I conveyed that the position of Indonesia and ASEAN are clear. We want the Indo-Pacific to become a stable and peaceful region that focuses on collaboration and concrete cooperation.

I appreciate Australia’s support towards Indonesia’s ASEAN chairmanship, and I invite Australia to enhance partnership in the South-Pacific through trilateral cooperation and to participate in the ASEAN Indo-Pacific Forum.

And lastly, I look forward to Prime Minister Albanese’s visit to Jakarta this September.

I thank you.

(GWH/MUR)