Jakarta – Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with the President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, on the margins of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Prime Minister Trudeau congratulated President Widodo on Indonesia’s successful Asean chairmanship, and expressed appreciation for his leadership in supporting the Asean-Canada Strategic Partnership, to be launched on September 6, 2023.
The leaders discussed the strong and growing bilateral relationship between the two countries, including in areas such as trade and investment. They reaffirmed their support for the mutually beneficial Canada-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, aimed at creating good middle-class jobs and opportunities for businesses, and committed to concluding negotiations by the end of 2024 at the latest.
The Prime Minister and the President welcomed the growing ties between Canadian and Indonesian businesses, including in sectors such as agri-food and fertilizer. Prime Minister Trudeau announced plans for a Team Canada Trade Mission to Indonesia in 2024. Prime Minister Trudeau also welcomed recent progress toward the restoration of access to the Indonesian market for Canadian halal products, including beef.
Prime Minister Trudeau highlighted progress made in the implementation of Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy to support a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. He also confirmed Export Development Canada is opening an office in Jakarta.
Prime Minister Trudeau welcomed President Widodo’s efforts on carbon pricing to reduce the effects of climate change. The leaders discussed opportunities to collaborate on climate action and reviewed progress on the Just Energy Transition Partnership, highlighting the importance of speeding up the phasing out of coal to cleaner energy as a step to fighting climate change.
The Prime Minister condemned Russia’s illegal and unjustified war against Ukraine, and the two leaders discussed the severe impact the conflict is having on food security in the region and around the world.
Prime Minister Trudeau and President Widodo expressed optimism on the continued growth and strong partnership between Canada and Indonesia and agreed to remain in close contact.