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Indonesia, UK talk closer Indo-Pacific cooperation in health, defense, trade
The two foreign ministers discussed current and potential areas for cooperation, including trade and security, as well as the health sector in terms of vaccine access and distribution.
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British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab (left) walks with Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno L.P. Marsudi on Oct. 14, 2020 at Lancaster House, London, during the latter's visit to discuss international cooperation on COVID-19 vaccines. (Courtesy of/British Embassy, Jakarta)
B
ritish Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has expressed the United Kingdom’s “commitment” to the Indo-Pacific during his visit to Indonesia on Wednesday, when the two countries pledged stronger partnership in certain areas, including health.
The UK’s top diplomat was in Jakarta on April 7 to attend the third partnership meeting with Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, who said it was important for Indonesia and the UK to work more closely in the health sector as the world strived to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Retno proposed that the two sides work together on research and development in the health and pharmaceutical industries, as well as collaborate on vaccine production.
As a sources of the country’s COVID-19 vaccine supply, the UK was “expected to show leadership” in vaccine multilateralism and be ready to share its vaccines with other countries amid the growing global concern over vaccine nationalism.
“As cochair of the COVAX AMC Engagement Group, I have a moral obligation to continue promoting cooperation in ensuring equal access to vaccines for all,” Retno said at the meeting.
She was referring to the Gavi COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access Advanced Market Commitment, a cost-sharing mechanism for developed countries to help ensure vaccine access and availability for developing countries.
The two foreign ministers also discussed economic and defense cooperation, both bilaterally and regionally.
