The President of Indonesia H.E. Mr. Prabowo Subianto embarked on an Official Visit to the United States of America on 11th November, 2024. He was warmly welcomed by the Indonesian students and citizens on his arrival.
Meeting with the US President
On November 12, President Subianto met with the President of the United States Joe Biden at the Oval Office of the White House. During the meeting, the leaders marked the 75th anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between them and shared their experiences from which they have emerged as the second and the third largest democracies. The leaders reflected that the year 2023 marked the elevation of their bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) which in turn institutionalized efforts to expand cooperation amongst the global and emerging challenges. Restating the significance of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the countries, the leaders underlined their commitment to promoting peace, and stability in Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific region.
Discussion on Economic Growth, Governance, Technology, People-to-People ties and Defence Collaboration
During the meeting, the leaders expressed their commitment to promoting research collaboration at the core of artificial intelligence and sustainable farming practices, including through the 2nd Indonesia-US Digital Technology Dialogue on Agriculture. They also stressed the importance of innovation-driven, inclusive and sustainable economic growth to deliver better livelihoods for the peoples of Indonesia and America.
At the governance level, the two countries affirmed their membership in the Open Government Partnership to enhance transparency, accountability and public participation and advance anti-corruption priorities. The two sides pledged their commitment to deepening engagement and cooperation on economic policy based on business best practices, labour rights, human rights and fair trade, including all the pillars of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) and the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum.
They acknowledged the importance of diverse and resilient critical mineral supply chains to bolster the manufacturing sector and economic growth in both nations and reinforced their commitment to developing critical mineral supply chains through a mutually beneficial partnership that promotes principles of sustainable development. On the environment front, the leaders discussed carbon capture and storage and methane abatement as the key opportunities for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. They also decided to expand partnerships on clean and renewable energy generation and expedite their clean energy transitions.
The Presidents also pressed on the need to enhance capacity building and secure equitable access to secure and resilient AI and related digital innovations. They welcomed the opportunity to expand radio access network (Open RAN) projects in Indonesia, thereby creating a secure and resilient ecosystem and also advancing a competitive ecosystem for advanced technology and broader connectivity. They also marked the U.S. State Department’s partnership with the Government of Indonesia through the International Technology Security and Innovation (ITSI) Fund under the CHIPS Act 2022.
Strengthening people-to-people ties, the leaders underscored their plan to deepen cooperation in education, research and development and announced the opening of a new American Corner in Makassar in 2025. They also welcomed cooperation in STEM fields, language education and entrepreneurship collaboration, with a focus on women, youth and people with disabilities.
On the defense cooperation domain, the leaders affirmed to strengthen bilateral defense cooperation in a shared commitment to regional security, and stability and highlighted the significance of the Defense Cooperation Arrangement that was concluded in 2023. In the field of maritime cooperation, both leaders welcomed the establishment of the U.S.-funded BAKAMLA ‘Anambas’ Maritime Training Center in Batam this year. They also reaffirmed their commitment to holding a maritime dialogue and intended to explore new areas of discussion, including cooperation on a sustainable maritime economy and advancing marine science and technology. The Presidents also welcomed the renewal of the US-Indonesia MoU on counterterrorism till 2027, which forms a part of their longstanding cooperation on counterterrorism.
President Subianto welcomed the U.S. support for ASEAN Centrality and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, with the leaders pledging to uphold an open, inclusive, rules-based and ASEAN-centered regional architecture that upholds international law.
President Biden also expressed support for ASEAN’s efforts to resolve the crisis in Myanmar and the leaders reiterated their support for the establishment of peace on the Korean Peninsula, respect for sovereignty in the war against Ukraine and urged for immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
Other Engagements
President Subianto met with US Secretary of State Mr. Antony Blinken at the State Department. He also congratulated President-elect Donald Trump over the phone call, on his recent US Presidential victory and assured deeper ties between Indonesia-US.
