00BALI, RAKYAT NEWS– The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized the pivotal role of parliamentary support in advancing South-South and triangular cooperation, which aligns with Indonesia’s Vision 2045 and Africa’s Agenda 2063.

Rina Setyawati, Director of International Development Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated during a discussion at the 2024 Indonesia-Africa Parliamentary Forum in Nusa Dua, Bali, that legislative backing is crucial for fostering an environment conducive to rapid progress in international development cooperation.

In her remarks, Setyawati outlined several key roles for legislators, including the creation of legal frameworks and policies that facilitate and promote international development partnerships across various sectors. Additionally, she highlighted the importance of budget oversight to ensure transparency and accountability in the allocation of resources for development initiatives.

Legislators are also crucial in diplomatic efforts, advocating for stronger partnerships in both bilateral and multilateral forums. Furthermore, their role extends to monitoring and evaluating the implementation of cooperative projects to ensure they align with developmental goals and deliver tangible benefits.

Indonesia has been actively involved in South-South triangular cooperation and international development initiatives in recent years, with over 1,000 programs spanning training, workshops, expert exchanges, scholarships, and technical assistance. These programs cover sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, energy, governance, SMEs, health, infrastructure, disaster risk management, and women’s empowerment, benefiting 13,000 participants in 150 countries, including 44 African nations.

Looking ahead, the Indonesia Gold 2045 and Africa Agenda 2063 plans prioritize five key areas from 2024 to 2029: energy and minerals, health, agriculture, education, and community development. Setyawati expressed confidence that these sectors could be expanded based on the evolving needs of African countries.