The support was conveyed by Australian Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell during a bilateral meeting with Airlangga on the sidelines of the 2026 OECD Ministerial Council Meeting.
"This meeting is not merely a formal meeting on the sidelines of the 2026 OECD ministerial meeting, but also strengthens the commitment of both countries to continue collaboration in responding to global dynamics," Airlangga said in a statement on Thursday.
According to him, the two countries agreed to strengthen economic cooperation and strategic collaboration to address evolving global challenges. Australia believes that Indonesia's membership in the OECD and CPTPP would strengthen its position in the global economy while supporting regional economic integration.
The two sides also discussed an issue related to Mexico's position in Indonesia's accession process. However, the matter has been resolved through diplomatic channels and no longer poses an obstacle, Airlangga said.
Beyond OECD accession, Indonesia and Australia discussed several strategic economic cooperation agendas. In the critical minerals sector, the two countries agreed to combine their respective strengths, namely Indonesia's nickel reserves and Australia's lithium supply and expertise.
"As a concrete step, Australia will soon provide prospectuses for shovel-ready lithium projects that can be accessed by investors," Airlangga said.
In the energy sector, Indonesia proposed the construction of a strategic oil storage facility in a special economic zone near the Strait of Malacca. The project is expected to strengthen regional energy security while reducing dependence on Middle Eastern supplies.
Indonesia also expressed appreciation for Australia's support through the Prospera Phase Two program, which has contributed to stronger financial stability, macroeconomic resilience, and productivity growth.
In trade, the two countries agreed to strengthen the grain supply chain and accelerate import licensing for agricultural products that had previously faced obstacles.
"Furthermore, the halal certification process for Australian products is guaranteed to run smoothly thanks to the Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) mechanism," Airlangga said.
The meeting also addressed global challenges, including the impact of US trade policies and geopolitical developments in the Middle East that have affected international flight connectivity.
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Translator: Bayu Saputra, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Anton Santoso
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