RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia and Bangladesh have agreed to expand cooperation across multiple sectors during the second Foreign Office Consultation (FOC), held in Jakarta on Monday, April 13, 2026.

The forum brought together senior officials from both countries and served as a platform to review and advance the full spectrum of bilateral relations between the two nations.

Energy collaboration emerged as a key focus, with both sides emphasizing the need for concrete initiatives to safeguard supply chains amid tensions and uncertainty in the Gulf region, one of the world’s main energy hubs.

Beyond energy, the consultation produced commitments to strengthen cooperation in trade, agriculture, fisheries, health, maritime and air connectivity, education, culture, defense, and efforts to combat terrorism and transnational crime.

Delegates also exchanged views on shared priorities in regional and international forums, including ASEAN, the D8, and the United Nations.

Director General for Asia-Pacific and Africa at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Santo Darmosumarto, underscored the importance of comprehensive cooperation in today’s volatile global environment.

“Strengthening Indonesia-Bangladesh relations is more important than ever to ensure resilience, sustainability, and shared prosperity,” he said, as quoted on the ministry's official website.

Bangladesh’s delegation was led by Foreign Secretary Ambassador Asad Alam Siam, accompanied by officials from relevant ministries, agencies, and state-owned enterprises.

Following the consultation, Siam met with Indonesia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Anis Matta to discuss the role of state-owned and private companies in advancing cooperation in food, energy, and infrastructure, as well as in enhancing people-to-people exchanges.

The FOC mechanism was established under a 2018 memorandum of understanding between the two foreign ministries. The first consultation was held virtually in April 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Bilateral trade has since reached historic levels, with last year’s figures hitting USD 4 billion -- the highest in the two countries’ trading history. ***