Indonesia and Canada Explore New Cooperation to Strengthen Bilateral Relations

Indonesia and Canada are exploring new cooperation opportunities to strengthen bilateral relations, and the implementation of these various collaborations will be the focus of the next Bilateral Consultation Forum between the two countries. “We are committed to ensuring that the bilateral relationship between Indonesia and Canada not only grows quantitatively but is also oriented towards tangible results that have a direct impact on the prosperity of the people of both countries,” said Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono in a statement from the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday. The agreement to explore new cooperation opportunities was conveyed during a bilateral meeting between Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono and Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly on the sidelines of the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, Post-Ministerial Conferences and Related Meetings in Manila, Philippines, on Thursday. According to the statement, the upcoming Bilateral Consultation Forum will be used as a platform to identify various new, mutually beneficial cooperation opportunities for both countries. Both parties also stressed the importance of promptly finalising the Plan of Action 2026-2029 as a guide for implementing more focused, productive, and strategic bilateral cooperation. In the economic field, Indonesia and Canada agreed to continue encouraging increased trade and investment, in connection with the upcoming implementation of the Indonesia–Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. The meeting will serve as a good momentum to deepen bilateral relations between Indonesia and Canada, as well as being part of the preparations for the celebration of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Canada in 2027.