TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia Pahala Nugraha Mansury, said that Africa is a strategic region for market diversification, investment, and commodities for Indonesia. The vice minister conveyed the statement as part of the preparation for the 2nd Indonesia-Africa Forum (IAF) on Thursday, August 8, 2024.

The Vice Minister said the 2nd IAF is scheduled to take place from September 1 to September 3, 2024, at Hotel Mulia, Bali, with the theme "Bandung Spirit for Africa's Agenda 2063".

Speaking in front of national and international media crew Pahala Mansury highlighted the strong historical ties between Africa and Indonesia, which began with the Asia-African Conference in 1955, giving birth to the 'Bandung Spirit.'

Quoted from the official site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday, August 9, 2024, Pahala Mansury pointed out Africa's increasingly vital role as a source of global commodities, including significant reserves of oil, gas, and critical minerals in the world.

The Vice Minister underlined that for Indonesia, Africa as an equal partner, part of the Global South, plays a crucial role in efforts toward sustainable development transition.

The strategic partnership between Indonesia and Africa is reflected in their shared visions, Indonesia's Vision 2045 and Africa's Agenda 2063. Both entities have extraordinary cooperation potential, with a combined GDP of US$4.4 trillion and a population of 1.7 billion.

The IAF forum will focus on issues related to economic transformation, energy and mining, food, health resilience, and development cooperation, and will be attended by 28 African heads of state. Hundreds of participants from various sectors will also participate.

The forum is expected to generate concrete cooperation valued at US$3.5 billion.

KEMLU.GO.ID

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