Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese has held a meeting with President Joko Widodo of Indonesia, pledging stronger cooperation with the country in the fight against climate change.
The trip came as Australia’s new Labour government, which ended a decade of conservative rule in a May 21 election, signals a greater emphasis on relations with Southeast Asia and climate change, an issue which is crucial to its Pacific neighbours, as it navigates ties with a more assertive China.
Speaking during his first bilateral visit to the country on Monday, Albanese said that Indonesia was on track to be one of the world’s five largest economies and that revitalising Australia was willing to collaborate with the country in its climate change fight.
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The Australian PM who took with him a high-profile business delegation to Indonesia, including Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Trade Minister Don Farrell, also Stressed the importance of engaging with Southeast Asia’s largest economy.
He pledged that his government would work together to realise the potential of the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA), and offer technical expertise for the development of Indonesia’s planned new green and high-tech capital, ‘Nusantara’.
He pledged a A$470 million pledge over four years for overseas development in Indonesia and the region, a A$200 million climate and infrastructure partnership with Indonesia, and the creation of a new Southeast Asia office in Australia’s department of foreign affairs.
On his part, president Widodo underscored the importance of the two nations strengthening their bilateral commitments particularly as it relates to climate change which has impacted businesses globally.
Story was adapted from People’s Gazette.
