RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia and Ethiopia have reaffirmed their commitment to a robust strategic partnership following the 2nd Indonesia-Ethiopia Bilateral Consultation Forum (FKB) held in Jakarta. As fellow representatives of the Global South, both nations seek to leverage their 65-year diplomatic history to navigate an increasingly complex global landscape.

The meeting, held on Thursday, May 7, 2026, was co-led by Indonesia's Director General for Asia-Pacific and Africa, Santo Darmosumarto, and Ethiopia's Director General for the Middle East, Asia, and the Pacific, Dewano Kedir.

"The partnership with Ethiopia as a growth hub and a gateway to East Africa has become very strategic," Santo said, as quoted by Antara.

Economic cooperation has become the cornerstone of the relationship. Bilateral trade reached USD 138.6 million in 2025, marking a significant 40 percent increase compared to the previous year. Currently, five Indonesian companies are either operating in or are in the process of investing in Ethiopia.

To sustain this momentum, both parties agreed to several key initiatives focused on economic and structural cooperation. This includes the exploration of trade agreements, specifically the formation of a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) and a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT), to significantly expand market access.

Both nations also committed to enhancing aviation connectivity by strengthening the implementation of the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) with Ethiopian Airlines to boost business and people-to-people ties.

Finally, they identified agricultural priority sectors, agreeing to focus on commodities such as palm oil, coffee, cloves, soybeans, and wheat, while simultaneously launching capacity-building programs to ensure long-term food security.

Beyond commerce, the forum addressed critical sectors including higher education, healthcare, and tourism. Ethiopia’s Dewano Kedir emphasized the importance of following through on these discussions and welcomed the plan to host the 3rd FKB in Ethiopia.

"Ethiopia highly values its friendly relationship with Indonesia and sees this forum as a venue to expand cooperation in priority fields," Kedir remarked.

The meeting concluded with the signing of agreed minutes, which will serve as a roadmap for bilateral initiatives in the coming years, ensuring that the partnership remains results-oriented and mutually beneficial. ***