Zimbabwe and Indonesia have reaffirmed their enduring friendship and committed to strengthening cooperation across key economic and diplomatic sectors. The pledge was made during Indonesia’s National Day celebrations held in Harare last night, where senior government officials from both countries underscored their shared vision for peace, development and mutual prosperity.
Speaking at the event, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs and International Trade Ambassador Albert Chimbindi congratulated Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and the people of Indonesia on their National Day. He said the commemoration symbolised the strong historical ties between Harare and Jakarta.
Ambassador Chimbindi emphasised that Zimbabwe’s Constitution provides a firm framework for its engagement with the international community.
“Our foreign policy must be guided by respect for international law and the pursuit of mutually beneficial relations. In celebrating Indonesia’s National Day, we reaffirm these constitutional principles, recognising Indonesia as a valued partner in advancing peace, stability and prosperity,” he said.
He said the Second Republic places development at the heart of its foreign policy, with economic diplomacy and the “Zimbabwe is open for business” philosophy remaining central pillars of international engagement. Ambassador Chimbindi noted that cooperation with Indonesia continues to open avenues for trade, innovation and technological advancement.
“We welcome partnerships that drive trade, investment and innovation. Our cooperation with Indonesia strengthens our capacity to harness the ingenuity and resilience of Zimbabweans,” he added.
He highlighted expanding opportunities in agriculture, mining, education and health. Zimbabwean students are currently studying in Indonesia, while local farmers are benefitting from Indonesian technical support, including artificial insemination programmes.
“These exchanges are not just transactions; they are investments in our shared prosperity,” he said.
Ambassador Chimbindi also acknowledged Indonesia’s interest in mining, agriculture and manufacturing, adding that such investments would help catalyse industrial growth. He expressed Zimbabwe’s gratitude for Indonesia’s diplomatic backing.
“We look forward with confidence to Indonesia’s continued support for Zimbabwe’s candidature for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for 2027–2028,” he said.
In his remarks, Indonesian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Arief Hidayat described the two countries’ relations as a friendship built on solidarity, independence and shared history. He paid tribute to Zimbabwean alumni of Indonesian universities, noting their role in strengthening people-to-people relations.
Reflecting on Indonesia’s 80 years of independence, Ambassador Hidayat said Indonesia’s foreign policy is anchored on being “free and active”, committed to global justice and peace. “The Bandung Conference of 1955 was the birth of a movement that declared the developing world an active architect of its own destiny,” he said.
He highlighted Indonesia’s intensified engagement with Africa through political dialogue, capacity building, and trade supported by platforms such as the Indonesia-Africa Forum and the Indonesia-Africa Infrastructure Dialogue. The artificial insemination partnership with Zimbabwe, already yielding improved cattle breeds, will continue until December. He described the initiative as “a symbol of our shared pursuit of food security and rural development.”
Ambassador Hidayat reaffirmed Indonesia’s full support for Zimbabwe’s bid for a UN Security Council seat and highlighted growing bilateral trade. “Our goal is to move from commodity exchange to value-added cooperation through joint ventures, processing industries and technology transfer,” he said.
He also encouraged greater tourism exchange, inviting Zimbabweans to explore Indonesia’s cultural treasures from Bali to Borobudur while urging Indonesians to discover Zimbabwe’s iconic destinations such as Victoria Falls and Great Zimbabwe.
Both nations concluded the commemorations by reaffirming their commitment to strengthening friendship, expanding cooperation and advancing shared prosperity anchored in independence, justice and mutual respect.
