Langgampos.com - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) expressed his appreciation for the presence of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai of Liberia during their bilateral meeting at the Casablanca Room, Mulia Hotel, Nusa Dua, Bali, on Monday, September 2, 2024. The meeting was held on the sidelines of the High-Level Forum on Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships (HLF MSP) and the 2nd Indonesia-Africa Forum (IAF).
“This meeting marks an important moment in the bilateral relationship that has been established for nearly six decades between Indonesia and Liberia,” stated a press release from the Office of the Presidential Secretariat on Tuesday, September 2, 2024.
In his welcoming remarks, President Jokowi expressed confidence that the good relationship between the two nations would continue to thrive. "Welcome to Indonesia, and thank you for Your Excellency’s presence. The bilateral relations between Indonesia and Liberia have been strong for nearly six decades, and I believe there is much potential we can develop together," said Jokowi.
President Jokowi highlighted three main sectors for potential collaboration between Indonesia and Liberia. First, cooperation in the palm oil sector, which faces challenges such as negative campaigns in the West and the discriminatory European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).
"Indonesia continues to fight against these negative campaigns and hopes Liberia will continue to support us. Indonesia is also ready to assist in capacity building in African countries, including Liberia," Jokowi emphasized.
Secondly, Jokowi addressed cooperation in infrastructure development. He noted that Indonesia has many companies with extensive experience in infrastructure projects and is confident they are ready to collaborate with Liberia.
"Indonesia has numerous companies with broad experience in infrastructure development, and we are ready to work with Liberia to support infrastructure projects there," he added.
Lastly, President Jokowi affirmed Indonesia’s readiness to strengthen development cooperation with Liberia through various programs tailored to Liberia’s needs, including technical assistance, scholarships, and vocational training.
"Everything is ready to be provided to support development in Liberia," Jokowi assured.
Jokowi hopes that the bilateral meeting with Liberia will strengthen the ties between the two nations and open up new mutually beneficial cooperation opportunities, particularly in the strategic areas discussed.
"The two leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to continue working together for mutual progress in the future," concluded the press release.
The meeting was attended by Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, Minister of Investment/Head of BKPM Rosan Roeslani, and Minister of State Secretary Pratikno.
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