The 2nd Indonesia-Africa Parliamentary Forum commenced on 1st September 2024 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Bali. The event, which runs until 3rd September, is held under the theme ‘Forging Indonesia – Africa Parliamentary Partnership for Development’ and aims to strengthen cooperation between the two regions.
The Forum began with a keynote address from Hon. Advocate J.F.N Mudenda, Speaker of the Zimbabwean Parliament. In his speech, Mudenda highlighted the enduring legacy of the Bandung Conference and called for innovative trade laws and economic partnerships to enhance development. He urged both Indonesian and African parliaments to work together to remove trade barriers and create investment-friendly environments.
On the eve of the Forum, Her Excellency Ms. Puan Maharani, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Indonesia, hosted a welcome dinner. The event was attended by prominent figures, including speakers from various African parliaments, the Governor of Bali Province, and other distinguished guests. In her welcome address, Dr. Maharani emphasized the Forum’s role in exploring new areas of cooperation and celebrating the longstanding relationship between Indonesia and Africa.
A Special Session on the Forum’s second day featured remarks from Her Excellency Retno Marsudi, Indonesia’s Foreign Minister. Marsudi underscored the importance of parliamentary collaboration in addressing global challenges, including climate change and geopolitical conflicts. She called for an inclusive development agenda and highlighted the need for parliaments to support gender equality and sustainable initiatives.
The Forum concluded with a Presidential Dinner hosted by Indonesian President Joko Widodo. The dinner honored the participating speakers and delegation heads, marking a successful conclusion to the Forum and reaffirming the strong ties between Indonesia and Africa.
