TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo met with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on the sideline of the 29th APEC Summit held in Bangkok on Friday, November 18, 2022. According to a written statement from the Presidential Palace, the two leaders talked about strengthening cooperation in the economy, energy transition, and strengthening Asia-Pacific ties.

"We need to encourage market access for trade between the two countries, especially in agricultural commodities, minerals, iron and steel, and plastics as well as cooperation in agriculture and halal certification," Jokowi said in his statement on Friday, November 18, 2022.

In terms of regional cooperation, the President said that Indonesia is committed to promoting development cooperation in the Pacific and due to this reason, Indonesia will encourage engagement between Pacific countries and ASEAN in 2023.

President Jokowi conveyed Indonesia's commitment to continuing to strengthen its energy transition efforts using new and renewable energy and also invited New Zealand business people to invest in the development of geothermal energy in Indonesia.

Jokowi hopes that New Zealand can become a bridge connecting the partnership between ASEAN and the Pacific in the Indo-Pacific region.

Prime Minister Jacinda expressed her appreciation for the G20 Summit that was hosted by Indonesia and congratulated Indonesia on chairing ASEAN for 2023. She also said New Zealand is ready to support Indonesia's chairmanship.

M JULNIS FIRMANSYAH

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