Indonesia and Madagascar Establish Commission to Boost Cooperation

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia and Madagascar agreed on Wednesday, May 3, 2026 to establish a Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC). Both countries described the move as a major and strategic development after more than 50 years of diplomatic relations.

The Indonesia–Madagascar JCBC was officially established when Madagascar's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alice N'Diaye, met with Indonesia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sugiono, at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs campus in Jakarta. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the commission was one of the agreements signed by the two sides, alongside the Agreement on Visa Exemption for Holders of Diplomatic and Service Passports.

"These agreements will provide a stronger institutional framework for our partnership, facilitate closer coordination between our government officials, and create greater opportunities for cooperation across various sectors,” Sugiono said in a joint statement following the closed-door meeting.

During the meeting, the two ministers discussed various opportunities for cooperation, including agriculture, fisheries, green energy, and education. Sugiono expressed Indonesia’s support for Madagascar, and even stated that both ministers wished to involve Malagasy students in cooperative initiatives.

"These efforts reflect Indonesia's continued commitment as a trusted partner for fellow developing countries and advancing mutually beneficial South-South cooperation,” he said.

Minister N'Diaye said she was pleased with the MoUs signed by Indonesia and Madagascar that day, describing them as a step forward in relations between the two nations. She also referred to Indonesia as an important partner for Madagascar.

"The establishment of the joint commission for cooperation marks a major step forward in our bilateral relations, as we provide a structured institutional framework to strengthen coordination between our respective administrations, promote exchanges, and foster a more dynamic and ambitious cooperation across several strategic sectors,” N'Diaye said.

"Madagascar considers Indonesia as an important partner with whom strong economic complementarities exist,” she continued.

Relations between Indonesia and Madagascar date back to the 8th or 9th century, when people from various parts of the Indonesian archipelago migrated to Madagascar and became among the ancestors of the present-day Malagasy people. The Malagasy language, one of Madagascar’s official languages alongside French, shares some similarities with the Austronesian language family, particularly the West Barito branch spoken in Kalimantan.

Indonesia maintains an embassy in the Malagasy capital city of Antananarivo, but Madagascar does not yet have an embassy in Indonesia. Madagascar is currently represented through its embassy in Tokyo, Japan; however, during Wednesday’s meeting, Sugiono confirmed Madagascar’s intention to open an embassy in Indonesia.