President Ranil Wickremesinghe, during his state visit to Indonesia, engaged in a significant meeting with Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, the Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Maritime and Investment Affairs. Their discussions took place at the United In Diversity Bali Campus located on Kura Kura Bali Island.
Their dialogue centered around pivotal themes such as the Global Blended Finance Alliance, Sri Lanka’s initiative for a Tropical Belt, developments in the Blue Economy, and opportunities in the Seaweed Industry. A strong emphasis was placed on boosting cooperation among nations of the Global South and spearheading a joint research effort on mangrove preservation.
The leaders agreed on the formation of a bilateral task force to streamline these environmental and economic endeavors, especially considering Sri Lanka’s leadership position in the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).
The Sri Lankan delegation included key figures like the Minister of Water Supply and Estates Infrastructure Development, Jeevan Thondaman, and the Senior Advisor to the President on Climate Change, Ruwan Wijewardene. Other notable attendees were the Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Aruni Wijewardane, the Sri Lankan Ambassador to Indonesia, Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage, and Dr. Anil Jasinghe, the Chief Executive Officer of the Office of Climate Change.
Representing Indonesia were several influential officials including Ayodhia G.L. Kalake, the Secretary of the Coordinating Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Investments, and Nani Hendiarti, the Deputy Minister for Environment and Forestry Managements. Additional key participants were Rachmat Kaimuddin and Firman Hidayat, deputies in the Coordinating Ministry focusing on infrastructure, transportation, and maritime resources, respectively, along with Cherie Nursalim, the Special Advisor on Climate Change.
