At a Foreign Office Consultation held in Bali on 4 December 2025, senior officials of Indonesia and The Gambia discussed key areas of development for both Governments and peoples.
Welcoming the Gambian delegates to the Consultation, Indonesia’s Head of Delegation, Dewi Justicia Meidiwaty, who is the Director of African Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated: “I am very pleased and honored to host the first Foreign Office Consultation between Indonesia and The Gambia.
“I believe that this Consultation is important and timely to discuss issues of common interest, among others: to review our bilateral cooperation and to discuss the implementation and way forward of the plan to hold the 2nd Indonesia-Gambia Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation in 2026 in Banjul,to coordinate Indonesia and the Gambia’s mutual candidacies in international organizations, to establish a consular notification mechanism between Indonesia and The Gambia, and to address the Gambia’s intention to establish a General Framework Agreement with Indonesia.”
The Consultation further discussed the future utilisation of the Agricultural Rural Farmers Training Center in Jenoi as the center of excellence for agricultural training in West Africa, bilateral cooperation in specific sectors, such as agriculture, higher education and scientific research, as well as diplomatic capacity building and training.
The FOC also deliberated on the way forward concerning the negotiation on Indonesia-Economic Commission of West African States Preferential Trade Agreement, which has been pending since 2017, and cooperation between Indonesia and The Gambia in multilateral fora.
In his remarks, The Gambia’s Head of Delegation, Ambassador Lang Yabou, Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, appreciated the Government of Indonesia for their hospitality and strong cooperation with the Government of The Gambia.
“On behalf of His Excellency, Adama Barrow, President of the Republic of The Gambia, and Hon. Sering Modou Njie, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and on my own behalf, I wish to express fraternal greetings and our profound appreciation to the Government of the Republic of Indonesia for the warm hospitality extended to our delegation and for the excellent arrangements made to host this important Consultation in the beautiful city of Bali.
“Our two countries share a longstanding relationship founded on mutual respect, solidarity as developing nations, and a shared commitment to advancing peace, development, and international cooperation.
“Today’s Foreign Office Consultation offers us another significant opportunity to strengthen these ties and develop practical cooperation in areas of mutual benefit.”
Mr Yabou re-affirmed The Gambia’s readiness to engage constructively, looking forward to a fruitful partnership and a strengthened South-South cooperation between both nations.
He also highlighted several areas of cooperation and mutual benefit for both countries, saying: “The Gambia attaches great importance to strengthening the political foundation of our bilateral relations and ensuring that our cooperation continues to grow in a structured and results-oriented manner. As a result, we hope the following will lay a strong foundation in deepening our ties.”
He outlined as vital a strong foundation for the Second Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation to be held next year in The Gambia, strengthening Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation, mutual support in international organisations, consular cooperation, and general framework agreement.
“The Gambia is pleased that both sides share a common understanding on the need to reconvene for the Second Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) in 2026 in Banjul,” he said, adding: “This platform remains our principal mechanism for coordinating bilateral programs, monitoring progress, and identifying new areas of partnership. And I am glad this Foreign Office Consultation is a preparatory mechanism for the Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation.
“We hope this meeting will culminate into the development of a Joint Action Plan outlining deliverables, targets, and timelines, and ensuring that the next Joint Commission translates decisions into concrete cooperation outcomes, particularly in commerce, education, agriculture, and capacity building.”
The Consultation brought together high-powered delegations from Indonesia, including Aditya Aji Nugraha of the Directorate of African Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Dyah Kuncorowati, Political Affairs, Indonesia Embassy in Dakar, and from The Gambia including Amb. Alhagie Nyagado, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture; Mr Sheick Omar Bittaye, Director of Asia and Oceanic Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Ms Jainaba Manjang, Counselor, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and head of delegation Amb. Lang Yabou, PS 1, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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