SEAToday.com, Nusa Dua- The High-Level Forum on Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships (HLF-MSP) and the 2nd Indonesia-Africa Forum (IAF) 2024 in Nusa Dua, Bali, were officially opened by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) on Monday, 2 September 2024.

In his opening remarks, Jokowi invited African countries to be more solid and able to become drivers of change in the midst of a challenging world. The President highlighted the uncertain global economic conditions due to geopolitical tensions.

He also expressed regret at the decline in international solidarity in facing global challenges, the diminishing spirit of multilateralism, and the strengthening of polarity and fragmentation. Jokowi emphasised that developing countries are the most affected by this situation. This is reflected in the achievement of the global SDGs, which has only reached 17 per cent of the target.

‘With only six years to 2030, the impact of this failure is felt primarily by millions of people in developing countries. Therefore, a new direction and vision for a more equitable and inclusive development for developing countries is needed,‘ he said, quoted from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website.

The President mentioned four main points, including:

First, achieving the SDG targets must remain the main focus of the global development agenda. He added that the SDGs agenda needs to be aligned with national and regional development priorities, including Africa's Agenda 2063, and supported by Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships.

Second, Indonesia is committed to being part of the global solution. Indonesia is always at the forefront of defending the Global South's interests and being a bridge builder, fighting for equality, justice, and solidarity, including accelerating the SDGs' achievement. ‘This commitment is consistent with the Bandung Spirit that Indonesia promoted at the Asian-African Conference, 69 years ago in Bandung,’ the President explained.

Third, Indonesia is ready to partner with all countries in fulfilling these commitments, especially with the African region, especially by linking the Bandung Spirit with the Africa Agenda 2063. ‘The results of the Indonesia-Africa partnership are very real, with the volume of trade increasing rapidly and various trade agreements being signed.

In addition, the President said that the deliverables of this year's Indonesia-Africa Forum (IAF) meeting amounted to US$3.5 billion, more than six times that of the first IAF in 2018 which was worth US$586.6 million.

Fourth, the President also reiterated the need to revive South-South cooperation, as well as North-South cooperation, to complement each other in better addressing global challenges.

In conclusion, Jokowi announced plans to organise the Platinum Jubilee of the Asian African Conference next year to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Asian-African Summit.