Indonesia Focuses to Strengthen ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific
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VIVA – One of the Indonesian priorities as the 2023 ASEAN Chairmanship, is focusing on strengthening ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific through concrete and inclusive development cooperation, according to National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) Head, Suharso Monoarfa.
"With this approach, ASEAN, like Indonesia, prioritizes four areas of cooperation in the region, namely maritime cooperation, connectivity, the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, and the economy," Monoarfa stated during a bilateral meeting with the President of the French-Indonesia and Timor Leste Inter-Parliament Friendship Group Marc-Philippe Daubresse, as quoted from his official Instagram page @suharsomonoarfa on Wednesday.
Indonesia has worked on triangular cooperation with several Asia-Pacific countries in the context of Indo-Pacific and will explore other potential partnerships, including with France, the Agency stated.
Menteri PPN/Kepala Bappenas, Suharso Monoarfa.
- VIVA/Anisa Aulia
Regarding development cooperation with France, Monoarfa expects to strengthen and expand Indonesia's bilateral relations, especially in several priority focus areas, such as the maritime, climate, and low-carbon sectors.
"In digital technology and IT (Information Technology), I also hope to expand cooperation in eco-fishing, marine biodiversity research vessels, maritime meteorological systems, strengthening climate services, data centers, digitizing broadcasting systems, as well as grant facilities to promote low-carbon development on land and at sea," he explained.
Until now, the government has initiated cooperation with France, especially in the fields of maritime affairs and fisheries, defense, the creative economy, as well as research, and technology.
In recent years, defense cooperation between Indonesia and France has been further intensified by the finalization of the purchase of several French defense equipments by Indonesia.
"Apart from that, there is also the potential for additional purchases of further defense equipment," Monoarfa said.