Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi delivers a keynote speech at the opening of the 1st Indonesia-Africa Parliamentary Forum (IAPF) in Nusa Dua, Bali, on Sunday, 1 September 2024. Indonesia commits to strengthening this relationship by embodying the Bandung Spirit into practical and mutually beneficial cooperation.(Amiriyandi/Infopublik)
Badung, 1 September 2024 – Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi delivered a keynote speech at the opening of the 1st Indonesia-Africa Parliamentary Forum (IAPF) in Nusa Dua, Bali, on Sunday, 1 September.
In front of Indonesia's and African countries' parliament speakers, Minister Retno praised the convening of IAPF. It reflects the close friendship and common values between Indonesia and African countries.
"Although we are geographically separated, the common values of solidarity and equality rooted in the 1955 Asian-African Conference's Bandung Spirit continue to unite us,” said Minister Retno.
Indonesia is committed to strengthening this relationship by embodying the Bandung Spirit into practical cooperation that benefits the people of Indonesia and African countries. Bandung Spirit was mentioned repeatedly during IAPF.
Retno underlined the importance of inter-parliamentary collaboration amid a dynamic global situation, economic uncertainty, rising geopolitical tension, and climate change. She continued to explain that this event allowed parliamentarians to share experiences and best practices in finding common solutions.
"Parliament serves not only as a legislator but also a bridge between people's aspirations and public policies,” she said.
Minister Retno also highlighted three vital roles of parliament in facing various global challenges. The first role is to maintain peace and stability.
She stressed that peace and stability were the main conditions for development. On the Palestinian issue, Minister Retno said parliament had an important role in mobilizing international public pressure, humanitarian assistance, and promoting a two-state solution. "Together, we must continue to fight for justice and humanity for the Palestinian people,” she said.
The second role is to expand cooperation in health, food security, trade, investment, energy, and mining. Minister Retno conveyed that the potential for cooperation in these areas are very significant.
She also underscored the need for Global South solidarity in pushing global development and policy agenda that reflect the needs and aspirations of developing countries and an inclusive forum to enable North-South collaboration. According to her, this vision is in tune with the 1955 Bandung Spirit.
At the end of her speech, Minister Retno invited all participants to take advantage of the strong parliamentary partnership to achieve the common goals of peace, security, and prosperity.
IAPF 2024 is a part of the High-Level Forum on Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships (HLF MSP) 2024 and the 2nd Indonesia-Africa Forum (IAF) scheduled from 1 to 3 September.
IAPF is held in Nusa Dua, Bali, from 31 August to 2 September and is attended by 43 speakers and members of parliament from 15 African countries.
IAPF carries the theme “Forging Indonesia-Africa Parliamentary Partnership for Development." (MOFA, TR/Elvira Inda Sari).
***
For more information, please contact.
Director of Information and Media, Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Hartyo Harkomoyo (0811831899)
Get more information at https://infopublik.id/kategori/hlf-msp-iaf and https://media.msp-iaf.id/