jfid – Indonesia and Finland marked a significant stride in their bilateral relationship with the Indonesia-Finland Smart Energy Working Group Day, hosted at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) headquarters.
The event, attended by key dignitaries including the Minister of Economic Cooperation of Finland and the Finnish Ambassador to Indonesia, underscored a commitment to advancing global climate mitigation efforts through collaborative energy initiatives.
Minister of ESDM, Arifin Tasrif, expressed optimism about the potential of this partnership, stating, “This collaboration not only strengthens our bilateral relations but also propels us towards achieving global climate goals.”
Green Energy and Smart Cities Collaboration
Both nations have agreed to intensify cooperation in green energy and smart city development.
Discussions between Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen highlighted Finland’s expertise in renewable energy, exemplified by ongoing projects such as the biomass-to-energy plant in Merauke, Papua, developed in partnership with Medco Group and Valmet Technologies.
This plant, with a capacity of 3.5 MWatt, is expected to significantly reduce diesel consumption by 27.5 million liters over five years.
Minister Retno Marsudi emphasized the broader implications of such collaborations, stating, “The project in Merauke is a stepping stone towards broader green energy initiatives that we hope to expand in the future.”
Education and Cultural Exchange
In addition to energy initiatives, Indonesia and Finland are enhancing educational collaboration. Plans include faculty and student exchanges, joint research programs, and scholarships.
Minister Retno Marsudi welcomed the outcomes of the 1st Indonesia-Finland Joint Working Group on Higher Education and Teacher Capacity Development held in September 2023, affirming its role in fostering mutual understanding and academic excellence .
Trade and Economic Relations
Economic ties between Indonesia and Finland have also shown significant growth, with bilateral trade reaching USD 713 million in 2023, marking a 22% increase from 2019.
Minister Retno Marsudi expressed optimism regarding the ongoing negotiations for the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU CEPA), foreseeing potential boosts in Finnish investment in Indonesia, particularly in sectors aligned with green energy and smart cities.
Conclusion
The Indonesia-Finland Smart Energy Working Group Day served as a pivotal moment in strengthening the ties between the two nations, particularly in the realms of green energy, education, and economic collaboration.
With ambitious projects like the Merauke biomass-to-energy plant on the horizon, both countries are poised to not only meet their domestic energy needs sustainably but also contribute significantly to global climate efforts.
