Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and U.S. President Joe Biden took a landmark step in renewing and deepening ties between Indonesia and the United States. They will focus their discussion on the potential for cooperation across several critical sectors. This strengthened partnership, which centers on renewable energy and environmental sustainability, represents a significant evolution in the relationship between the two nations, now in its 75th year.
The two leaders emphasized renewable energy collaboration, with Prabowo and Biden expressing a shared commitment to advancing cleaner, sustainable energy solutions.
The initiative includes the mobilization of the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA)’s renewable energy mini-grid networks to help meet Indonesia’s growing energy needs.
Biden highlighted that this initiative will foster a public-private partnership, utilizing expertise from the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Laboratories to support the Net Zero World Initiative.
“We will support the mobilization of $6 million to $10 million across five locations and aim to attract up to $2 billion in investment, targeting the transformation of 500 MW of diesel power to hybrid renewable mini-grid systems,” Biden stated in a White House release following the leaders’ bilateral meeting on November 12, 2024.
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Beyond energy, Biden also pointed out that the U.S. and Indonesia are charting new courses together in clean energy by establishing an Electric Vehicle Battery Supply Chain Roadmap.
This roadmap is designed to secure alternative energy solutions that will sustain industrial growth while minimizing reliance on coal-powered energy—a sector that has historically contributed significantly to Indonesia’s industrial energy needs.
In the realm of water and sanitation, Biden announced that USAID will expand access to climate-resilient water and sanitation in 38 cities and regencies throughout Indonesia.
The project includes technical support to bridge upstream water resource management with downstream urban services, providing sustainable, long-term infrastructure solutions.
A further significant milestone was reached as the leaders observed the signing of a new Emergency Management Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
This five-year agreement will strengthen cooperation on disaster preparedness, allowing for enhanced response capabilities through coordinated efforts between U.S. and Indonesian disaster response agencies.
Additionally, Biden and Prabowo finalized a Marine Conservation Debt-for-Nature Swap Agreement, a cornerstone of the Tropical Forest and Coral Reef Conservation Act.
The $34 million agreement will channel funds toward conserving coral reefs across significant areas of Central and Eastern Indonesia, underscoring a commitment to protecting these vital ecosystems.
“This agreement allocates around $34 million to coral reef preservation in extensive parts of Central and Eastern Indonesia,” Biden affirmed, underscoring the ecological and cultural significance of this initiative.
