Indonesia, Norway discuss energy transition, forestry cooperation

Indonesia and Norway agreed to deepen cooperation on the energy transition, sustainable fisheries and forest conservation during a meeting between their foreign ministers on the sidelines of regional talks in Manila, Indonesia's foreign ministry said on Sunday.

Foreign Minister Sugiono met Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide on Thursday during the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting and related conferences in the Philippine capital.

The two ministers discussed expanding cooperation on Indonesia's energy transition through investment, innovation and technology development, as Jakarta pursues its goals of strengthening energy security and fertilizer self-sufficiency.

"Indonesia continues to encourage cooperation in investment, innovation and technology development with Norway," Sugiono said in a statement.

They also agreed to strengthen collaboration in the aquaculture sector through the adoption of sustainable fisheries technology and advanced management practices.

Sugiono thanked Norway for its longstanding partnership with Indonesia in the forestry sector, saying it had contributed to forest conservation and global climate efforts.

The ministers also explored the use of satellite imagery to improve forest monitoring, natural resource management and sustainable development planning.

Eide described Indonesia as one of the world's "natural lungs" and a strategic partner in global efforts to address climate change, the statement said.

The meeting also covered broader international issues, with both sides reaffirming their support for multilateralism and reform of the United Nations.

Norway has been a long-standing partner of Indonesia on climate and forestry initiatives, including efforts to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, while the two countries have sought to expand cooperation on renewable energy and other low-carbon development initiatives.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak