Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese heralded a deepened relationship with close neighbour Indonesia during his first bilateral visit on Monday.

Mr Albanese, who met with President Joko Widodo of Indonesia, pledged stronger cooperation on trade, security, and climate change.

“Indonesia is on track to be one of the world’s five largest economies,” said Mr Albanese, “Revitalising our trade and investment relationship is a priority for my government.”

Stressing the importance of engaging with Southeast Asia’s largest economy, Australia’s new prime minister brought a high-profile business delegation to Indonesia, including Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Trade Minister Don Farrell.

He said the government would work together to realise the potential of the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA), and also offer technical expertise for the development of Indonesia’s planned new green and high-tech capital, ‘Nusantara’.

Mr Albanese reiterated a A$470 million pledge over four years for overseas development in Indonesia and the region, a A$200 million climate and infrastructure partnership with Indonesia, and the creation of a new Southeast Asia office in Australia’s department of foreign affairs.

“True to my government’s ambitious climate targets, I want better access to affordable, reliable, and secure clean energy right across our region, as we transition to a net-zero world together,” he said.

The trip came as Australia’s new Labour government, which ended almost a decade of conservative rule in a May 21 election, signals a greater emphasis on relations with Southeast Asia and climate change, an issue crucial to its Pacific neighbours, as it navigates ties with a more assertive China.

Mr Widodo emphasised the importance of the two nations strengthening their bilateral commitments amid current global challenges.

(Reuters/NAN)