Indonesia-New Zealand Agree to Strengthen Food Security and Renewable Energy

RRI.CO.ID, Auckland – Indonesia and New Zealand have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening priority cooperation in food security and renewable energy. During the 13th Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) meeting with New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters on Friday, 28 August 2026, in Auckland, Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono said cooperation in enhancing food security was important to meet the needs of the Indonesian people.

“One of the strategic areas in Indonesia-New Zealand relations is cooperation in food security to meet the needs of the Indonesian people, children, and younger generations,” Sugiono said.

In line with this, the two ministers discussed efforts to enhance capacity in renewable energy, particularly geothermal and solar power in Indonesia. They also discussed efforts to enhance trade cooperation, including the implementation of halal certification to facilitate and increase the export and import of halal products between the two countries.

In the field of education, Indonesia and New Zealand agreed to continue expanding scholarship opportunities for Indonesian students, particularly in fields aligned with national development priorities.

The two ministers also exchanged views on various regional and global issues. Indonesia and New Zealand reaffirmed their commitment to a bilateral partnership that can contribute to promoting stability, peace, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific through collaboration in regional forums, including ASEAN and the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF).

“Foreign Minister Sugiono also welcomed New Zealand’s chairmanship of the PIF in 2027 and expressed his hope for their success,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in an official statement.

The meeting serves as the main mechanism for bilateral dialogue to discuss developments in their relations and explore opportunities to boost cooperation between Indonesia and New Zealand. It also provides an opportunity to review and oversee the implementation of the Indonesia-New Zealand Comprehensive Partnership Action Plan for 2025–2029.

This year’s meeting was also part of preparations for the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and New Zealand, which will be commemorated in 2028.

As an outcome of the meeting, the two countries issued a Joint Statement outlining their shared understanding to strengthen and follow up on various bilateral cooperation agreements in the future.