Joint Statement: By the Foreign Ministers of New Zealand and the Republic of Indonesia at the 13th Joint Ministerial Commission

1. Rt Hon Winston Peters, Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand and His Excellency Sugiono, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, convened the 13th meeting of the Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) on 28 August 2026 in Auckland, New Zealand.

2. The Ministers welcomed meeting in person for the second time this year, underscoring the importance of regular consultations between themselves, Leaders and other Cabinet colleagues to strengthen the bilateral relationship.

3. Ministers welcomed progress under the New Zealand-Indonesia Comprehensive Partnership and the 2025-2029 Plan of Action and committed to intensify cooperation across the Plan of Action's seven pillars, building towards the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2028.

Reviewing the implementation of the second year of the Plan of Action 2025-2029, and way forward

"Friends for Good" Ties

4. Ministers agreed to further increase two-way dialogue and acknowledged the importance of face-to-face engagement, and regular hosting of key relationship architecture meetings.

5. In this regard, Ministers welcomed recent senior official dialogues, including the Senior Officials Meeting on Foreign Affairs on 27 August in Auckland and Senior Officials Meeting on Trade and Investment Framework held on 11 August in Jakarta. Ministers also highlighted the upcoming 8th Bilateral Defence Talks and the 9th Bilateral Working Group on Police Cooperation in Indonesia this year.

6. Ministers also encouraged parliamentary and civil society exchanges, including track 1.5 and 2 exchanges, to further strengthen bilateral and people-to-people ties.

Enhancing Trade and Economic Partnerships Delivering for Businesses

7. Ministers highlighted the importance of enhancing mutual prosperity and strengthening trade and economic connections. Ministers noted the progress made towards achieving our goal of NZ$6 billion by the end of 2029.

8. Ministers highlighted the complementarity of bilateral trade, discussed opportunities to increase economic cooperation, and agreed on the importance of stable and predictable trading environments in the face of global economic uncertainty. Ministers highlighted the importance of resolving non-tariff trade barriers to ensure trade continuity and growth. Ministers welcomed the signing in June 2025 of the Cooperation Arrangement on Halal Standards and the signing of the Agricultural Trade Cooperation Arrangement in August 2025.

9. Ministers underscored the importance of maintaining and strengthening air connectivity in order to facilitate increased people-to-people, business and trade flows. Ministers welcomed the recent commencement of year-round direct flights between Auckland and Bali and encouraged airlines to increase air-connectivity.

10. Ministers underscored the importance of advancing the blue economy and appreciated New Zealand's support for the ASEAN-ID Blue Initiative in July 2026. They looked forward to continued cooperation in this area.

11. Ministers underscored the importance of facilitating people-to-people linkages to strengthen bilateral ties and support trade, including through the optimal utilization of Special Work Visa quotas. Ministers also encouraged officials to continue constructive technical discussions on the Working Holiday Scheme.

12. Ministers acknowledged the importance of strengthening MSME's access to global markets. In this regard, they looked forward to the continued implementation of capacity building projects targeted towards MSMEs supported by the Regional Trade for Development (RT4D) programme under the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA).

13. Ministers encouraged discussions on how Indonesia and New Zealand can increase mutually beneficial two-way investment flows.

14. Ministers reconfirmed the importance of a rules-based, free and open trade environment, with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) at its core, as critical for the regional and global economy. The Ministers welcomed the implementation of the upgraded AANZFTA, which entered into force in April 2025, and ongoing cooperation under the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

15. Ministers acknowledged the ongoing process and New Zealand's support of Indonesia's accession to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) as an important step to foster economic integration, accelerate economic reform, and support mutual prosperity. Ministers also acknowledged efforts undertaken by Indonesia to accede to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

Renewable Energy and Environment Cooperation

16. Ministers welcomed the renewal of the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Partnership Arrangement signed in September 2024, highlighting New Zealand's continued support for Indonesia's renewable energy sector. A key initiative under this agreement is the Indonesia Aotearoa New Zealand Geothermal Cooperation (PINZ), which provides NZ$15.64 million in technical assistance and capacity building to optimize and expand Indonesia's geothermal potential. Ministers welcomed the Indonesia International Geothermal Convention and Exhibition and New Zealand Geothermal Week, which both took place this month and facilitated cooperation and learning for geothermal leaders from Indonesia and New Zealand. Ministers acknowledged New Zealand's continuing role in participating in and supporting these events.

17. Ministers welcomed a further NZ$15 million investment in Phase 2 of the New Zealand-Maluku Access to Renewable Energy Support (NZMATES 2.0) programme, which supports the ongoing improvement of access to reliable renewable electricity for remote and small islands, while building local industry capacity.

Education, Tourism, Science, Technology and Innovation, Culture and People-to-People Cooperation

18. Ministers welcomed the significant increase New Zealand has made to its annual allocation of tertiary scholarships for Indonesia under the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship Programme (MNZSP) - from 45 to 70, from 2025, as well as an increase in short-term training programmes. Ministers also encouraged Indonesian students to study in New Zealand universities through Indonesian Government scholarships, including Lembaga Pengelola Dana Pendidikan (LPDP).

19. Ministers welcomed the future convening of the Joint Working Group on Education under the Arrangement on Education Cooperation and highlighted the importance of working to strengthen cooperation, including to encourage student numbers, deepen inter-university collaboration and research, and other forms of cooperation.

20. Ministers agreed to launch negotiations on a Cultural Cooperation Arrangement aimed at creating a framework for deeper collaboration in culture.

21. Ministers acknowledged the potential for further growth in the tourism sector and agreed to consider options to enhance tourism cooperation.

Agriculture cooperation and food security

22. Ministers acknowledged our deep and enduring cooperation in agriculture and food security. Ministers welcomed our Agriculture Cooperation Arrangement signed in 2025, including to support Indonesia's dairy sector, smart agriculture, and streamlined trade processes.

23. Ministers welcomed food security and nutrition programmes funded by New Zealand in eastern Indonesia focused on eliminating the root causes of stunting, while also boosting livelihood opportunities.

Defence, Security, Cyber and Maritime Cooperation

24. Ministers acknowledged New Zealand and Indonesia's long-standing defence relationship and affirmed we should strengthen ties where possible, including the formal architecture for our defence relationship. They acknowledged the recent visit to Jakarta by New Zealand Navy ship HMNZS Te Kaha and both sides looked forward to participating alongside each other at the upcoming ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus), including this year's Combined Field Training Exercise, "Exercise Trident Resolve," to build regional disaster and security resilience.

25. Ministers highlighted the importance of continued dialogue, and active participation by our militaries in training activities, annual defence talks and exercises, including Exercise Super Garuda Shield, and welcomed New Zealand's participation in Exercise Super Garuda Shield 2026, with its largest ever deployment to the Exercise, providing an excellent opportunity to deepen cooperation between our militaries.

26. Ministers encouraged the finalisation of the framework for Military-to-Military Talks as well as an instrument on cooperation in the field of defence.

27. Ministers affirmed New Zealand's continued funding support for the Jakarta Centre for Law Enforcement Cooperation (JCLEC). The support provided enables high-quality capacity building initiatives and collaboration between law enforcement agencies to combat terrorism and transnational organised crime in the region.

28. Ministers acknowledged the ongoing delivery of the annual Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Kepolisian (STIK) comparative study programme highlighting it continues to build high-level law enforcement capacity and foster strategic relationships between New Zealand and Indonesia.

29. Ministers reaffirmed ongoing security and law enforcement cooperation including, their commitment to the Bali Process, on counter terrorism, and police-to-police cooperation.

30. Ministers reaffirmed our commitment to preventing money laundering and other illegal financial activities, with a view to enhancing financial integrity and transparency and further promoting economic growth and development.

Regional and Multilateral Agenda

31. Ministers emphasised the importance of ASEAN Centrality and the fundamental role of ASEAN in regional architecture. They reiterated their shared commitment to ongoing dialogue and cooperation through ASEAN-led mechanisms and processes, particularly the East Asia Summit (EAS), the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), and ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus).

32. Ministers welcomed closer collaboration to advance the ASEAN-New Zealand Comprehensive Strategic Partnership through effective implementation of the ASEAN- New Zealand Leaders' Joint Vision Statement on the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN-New Zealand Dialogue Relations and the Plan of Action (POA) to Implement the ASEAN-New Zealand Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2026-2030). Ministers also welcomed the adoption of the ASEAN-New Zealand Joint Statement on Strengthening Regional Resilience as a shared commitment to advancing a comprehensive strategic partnership, contributing to regional stability, resilience, and prosperity.

33. Ministers welcomed the operationalisation of the ASEAN-New Zealand Vision Fund to advance practical cooperation under the Plan of Action 2026-2030 and support the implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and its Strategic Plans.

34. Ministers underscored the vital importance of maintaining secure and open sea lanes, ensuring freedom of navigation and overflight, and the safe, unimpeded, and continuous transit of vessels and aircraft in straits used for international navigation, in accordance with international law, as reflected in UNCLOS.

35. Ministers reaffirmed their shared commitment to maintaining and promoting security and stability in the South China Sea. Ministers emphasised the status of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as the comprehensive legal framework within which all activities in the Oceans must be carried out. Ministers acknowledged the need for the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law, particularly UNCLOS. They welcomed progress towards a Code of Conduct and affirmed that a Code must be consistent with international law, including UNCLOS, and must not impinge on the rights and interests of all States including those who are not a party.

36. Ministers exchanged views on the current situation in Myanmar and its regional impact and reaffirmed the importance of ASEAN Five-Point Consensus to continuously support a Myanmar-led and Myanmar-owned peace process. The Ministers called on the authorities and all parties in Myanmar to take concrete action to end violence, allow safe and unhindered humanitarian access, and engage constructively in inclusive dialogue among all stakeholders.

37. Ministers expressed concern about the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and the deteriorating situation in the occupied West Bank. Ministers reiterated their calls for all parties to cease all hostilities; fulfil their commitments under the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict; facilitate the rapid, safe, unimpeded, and sustained delivery of humanitarian aid; adhere to international humanitarian law; and protect humanitarian personnel to enable their lifesaving work. Ministers reaffirmed their support for the implementation of a two-state solution consistent with international law and relevant United Nations resolutions.

38. Ministers exchanged views on the war against Ukraine and reiterated support for efforts to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace. In that context, Ministers continued to reaffirm their respect for sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity, and reiterated their call for an immediate ceasefire and peace negotiations consistent with the United Nations Charter and international law.

39. The Ministers acknowledged the challenges to the multilateral system from shifting geopolitical dynamics, a tightly constrained financial environment and increasingly complex global risks. They reaffirmed their strong support for multilateralism and an international rules-based system anchored in the UN Charter and international law, and acknowledged its important role in underpinning global stability, resilience and prosperity. The Ministers committed to collaborating on efforts to strengthen the multilateral system, including through UN reform, increase inclusivity and transparency, and to safeguard and advance human rights, in order to support a system that is more responsive to today's challenges.

In summary

40. Ministers affirmed that enhancing the New Zealand-Indonesia relationship across all seven pillars of the Plan of Action was key to delivering on our shared interests. Future achievements would lay the groundwork for celebrations of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2028.

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