Pacific countries can utilize at least 10 cooperation projects, especially regarding climate change, and PM Tagelagi warmly welcomed the cooperation with Indonesia regarding the issue.   

Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi again held a series of bilateral meetings with Pacific countries and international organizations on the sidelines of the Indonesia-Pacific Forum for Development (IPFD) in Bali on Dec. 7, 2022.

According to Retno, the bilateral meetings were held to strengthen Indonesia's cooperation with countries in the region, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in its official statement in Jakarta, Thursday.

On the occasion, Retno met with the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Henry Puna, New Zealand's Minister for Pacific Affairs Aupito William Sio, Niue’s Prime Minister Dalton Tagelagi, and Micronesia Federation’s Minister of Law Joses R. Gallen.

The Indonesian minister and the PIF’s secretary general exchanged views on various challenges in the region and agreed on the importance of inter-block good relations in the Indo Pacific region.

“The Pacific region is an inseparable part of the Indo-Pacific. The challenges faced are the same. Therefore, good relations among blocks in Southeast Asia and the Pacific will be a good foundation for creating a stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region," the foreign minister said.

Meanwhile, the PIF’s secretary general expressed his appreciation for Minister Retno's visit to the PIF Secretariat in Suva in September 2022.

New Zealand's Minister for Pacific Affairs Aupito William Sio also expressed his appreciation for Indonesia's leadership in the region and the world, including Indonesia's presidency in the G20.

Minister Sio also expressed his appreciation for Indonesia's being active in dealing and collaborating with Pacific countries.

Retno encouraged triangular cooperation with New Zealand for the Pacific, because this kind of collaboration would have more impact on the Pacific.

In the meeting with Niue, Minister Retno conveyed Indonesia's commitment to cooperate with Niue, especially in the field of climate change.

"The Indonesian presidency has produced concrete deliverables for developing countries. There are at least 10 cooperation projects that can be utilized by Pacific countries, especially regarding climate change," she noted.

Meanwhile, PM Tagelagi warmly welcomed the cooperation with Indonesia regarding climate change, especially to assist Niue's conservation efforts. He also expressed his hopes for Indonesia's support for Niue in various regional and international fora.

Afterwards, Retno and Joses R. Gallen discussed the development of bilateral cooperation, including the issue of visa-free for diplomatic passports and talked about cooperation in the exchange of information regarding the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982.

Reporting by Indonesia Window