Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata
Herald Correspondent
INDONESIA has pledged to deepen its economic, political and development cooperation with Zimbabwe and Zambia.
The country’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe Arief Hidayat, who also covers Zambia, said they want to transform long-standing diplomatic ties into practical partnerships that deliver tangible benefits for citizens.
In his speech during celebrations marking the 81st Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia, Ambassador Hidayat said Zimbabwe and Zambia remain key partners in Africa as Indonesia seeks to expand trade, investment and South–South cooperation.
“It is in this spirit that Indonesia highly values its relations with Zimbabwe and Zambia. Both countries are important friends of Indonesia in Africa. We share many experiences and aspirations: the struggle for independence, nation-building, the responsible use of national resources for the welfare of our people, and the wish to have a stronger voice in the international community,” he said.
The Ambassador said Indonesia was looking beyond historical ties to build cooperation in sectors including trade and investment, agriculture and food security, health, education, industrialisation, value addition and human capital development.
“Historical friendship and political solidarity remain important, but they should increasingly be translated into practical cooperation and concrete benefits for our peoples,” Ambassador Hidayat said.
He said Indonesia wanted to engage with Zimbabwe and Zambia not simply as a country offering cooperation but as a partner that grows together with partnerships based on mutual respect, complementary strengths and shared national priorities.
The anniversary celebrations were, however, held against the backdrop of a powerful earthquake that struck Indonesia’s Flores region in East Nusa Tenggara on August 15, 2026.
Ambassador Hidayat said the disaster showed the importance of national resilience.
“This year, our independence celebration also comes at a time of sadness following the strong earthquake that struck the Flores region in East Nusa Tenggara on 15 August 2026,” he said.
“This reminds us that the strength of a nation is not only shown when it celebrates its achievements.
“It is also shown by how its people support one another, recover from difficulties and remain united during challenging times.”
The ambassador said Indonesia’s approach to Africa forms part of its broader commitment to strengthening South–South Cooperation and amplifying the voice of the Global South.
“Indonesia believes that Asian and African countries should not only be recipients of global change,” he said.
“We should also be partners in shaping that change — by promoting fairer trade, strengthening food and health security, developing value-added industries, and supporting a more inclusive and representative multilateral system.”
Ambassador Hidayat said the anniversary was not only a celebration of Indonesia’s independence but also an opportunity to reaffirm the country’s commitment to closer relations with Zimbabwe and Zambia.
“The 81st Anniversary of Indonesia’s Independence is not only a celebration of Indonesia. It is also an opportunity to tell our friends in Zimbabwe and Zambia that Indonesia wants to move forward together with them,” he said.
Ambassador Hidayat said he was optimistic that relations between Indonesia and the two Southern African nations will become politically closer, economically stronger, more connected between our peoples, and increasingly relevant to our shared interests.
Indonesia is one of Asia’s largest economies and has in recent years intensified its engagement with African countries through expanded trade, investment, technical cooperation and development partnerships under its South–South cooperation framework.
