Indonesian Finance Minister Calls for Effective Policy Dialogue with Australia

155

Indonesia-Australia High-Level Policy Dialogue 2023 Strengthens Bilateral Cooperation.

Jakarta hosted the Indonesia-Australia High-Level Policy Dialogue 2023 Forum on Monday, a crucial event aimed at fostering cooperation between the two nations. The forum, organized by the Indonesian Finance Ministry, provided a platform for the exchange of ideas, perspectives, and experiences in policy-making, according to Indonesian Finance Minister Sri Mulyani.

With a strong emphasis on efficacy, Mulyani highlighted the importance of designing an effective policy dialogue that can effectively address present challenges while anticipating future ones. She underlined that the forum’s objective was to discuss critical economic development issues, focusing on fiscal policy, utilizing both theoretical and practical approaches.

Amidst the backdrop of elevated global risks and shifting trends, the forum dedicated its discussions to four key aspects: geopolitics, climate change, digitalization, and pandemics. Mulyani acknowledged that these issues were shared concerns between the two countries and required attention at the highest policy level.

Expressing optimism about the dialogue’s outcomes, Mulyani believed that it would offer effective and productive solutions to overcome the diverse range of current and future problems faced by both nations. Participants in the dialogue included policymakers, academics, and practitioners from Indonesia and Australia. Prominent Indonesian institutions like the University of Indonesia (UI), Gadjah Mada University (UGM), Andalas University (UNAND), Lambung Mangkurat University (ULM), Airlangga University (UNAIR), Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), and the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) contributed to the discussions.

Co-chairing the Pandemic Fund, Chatib Basri, alongside representatives from the Ministry of Finance, also attended the forum. From the Australian side, Penny Williams, the Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, accompanied by her staff and academics from the Australia National University, participated actively in the event.

The Indonesia-Australia High-Level Policy Dialogue 2023 Forum offered a platform for experts to engage in fruitful discussions, strengthening the economic ties between the two nations. The outcomes of this dialogue are anticipated to positively impact policy formulation and collaboration, fostering greater cooperation in areas of mutual interest.