PM Albanese and President Prabowo meet in Jakarta to deepen bilateral ties through trade, health, and security initiatives.
JAKARTA, Indonesia – In a significant demonstration of deepening bilateral cooperation, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in Jakarta on 15 May for the annual Australia–Indonesia Leaders’ Meeting. The visit marked Albanese’s first overseas bilateral engagement following his re-election and his fourth official trip to Indonesia as Prime Minister.
The leaders reaffirmed their nations’ commitment to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, focusing on shared economic, security, and regional goals amid a challenging global environment.
Australia reiterated its dedication to expanding trade and investment under its Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040, with a particular emphasis on Indonesian sectors such as healthcare, renewable energy, agriculture, infrastructure, and mining.
“Our two great nations continue to invest in each other through our strong trade relationship, creating economic opportunity and deepening the bonds between us,” said Prime Minister Albanese.
Both sides agreed to review and upgrade the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA), taking into account the region’s growing focus on clean energy, critical minerals, digital trade, and emerging technologies.
In the realm of defence, Prime Minister Albanese announced several new initiatives, including A$15 million over four years to support maritime cooperation and A$3.5 million for a clinical anti-malaria drug trial for the Indonesian military. Indonesian troops will also begin training in Australia’s Northern Territory later this year, building on the Defence Cooperation Agreement signed in Canberra in 2023.
“This treaty-level agreement… represents the most significant step in the Australia and Indonesia security partnership for three decades,” said Albanese. “But let me be very clear – I do not see this agreement as the last step.”
On health and development, Australia pledged A$100 million to enhance Indonesia’s capacity to prevent and respond to infectious diseases and an additional A$50 million to support green infrastructure under the KINETIK initiative. There are also plans to boost education exchanges, including scholarships for Indonesian educators and expansion of language learning programmes.
The leaders also touched on cultural cooperation, with renewed efforts to strengthen ties in sport, particularly women’s football, through collaboration between Football Australia and the Football Federation of Indonesia.
President Prabowo welcomed Australia’s ongoing support for Indonesia’s aspirations to join key multilateral organisations, including the OECD and CPTPP, further reinforcing the strategic alignment between the two nations.
Albanese emphasised the historical roots and people-to-people ties underpinning the relationship, recalling Australia’s early support for Indonesian independence. “From the very beginning, ours has been a partnership of shared purpose, and that is where the future of our relationship lies: with our people,” he said.
Source: Prime Minister of Australia’s Office
