Durian. Indonesia as the host of the 2nd Indonesia-Africa Forum or IAF calls for global solidarity in various aspects as mentioned by President Joko Widodo in his opening speech on Monday, 2 Sept. in Bali.
Besides hosting 2nd AIF, the Southeast Asia country is also hosting the High-Level Forum on Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships or HLF-MSP.
According to President Widodo, global solidarity is necessary in implementing more tangible and concrete actions in which to address the economic slowdown, unemployment rate, inflation, and geopolitical tensions that have disrupted the global supply chain.
The former Jakarta governor also emphasized the necessity of implementing new strategies and tactical steps that focus on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals or SDGs, aimed to achieve more equitable and inclusive development in developing countries.
Therefore, he underscored four main points in his speech, including Indonesia’s commitment to consistently participate in global solutions, protect the interests of developing countries and act as a bridge builder in advocating for equality, justice, and solidarity.
“Global solidarity needs to reignite to improve South-South, North-South cooperations, so we can complete each other in order to overcome global challenges,” President Widodo said.
Regarding Indonesia and Africa countries cooperation, according to the president, this year IAF has documented business deals, totaling US$3.5 billion, or nearly six times the amount reached during the first forum in 2018.
The 2nd AIF will resume on Tuesday, 3 Sept.. Over 1,400 participants from 29 countries attend the event, according to Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi. (***)
