National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met today with Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi of Indonesia in Washington, D.C. to discuss opportunities to deepen the U.S.-Indonesia Strategic Partnership. Mr. Sullivan informed Foreign Minister Marsudi that the United States will provide an additional $30 million in COVID-19 assistance to Indonesia, bringing the total U.S. assistance to Indonesia since the start of the pandemic to more than $65 million.

Mr. Sullivan underscored the United States’ enduring commitment to Southeast Asia and reiterated our support for ASEAN centrality and ASEAN’s essential role in the Indo-Pacific’s regional architecture. He noted we will continue high-level engagement with Indonesia and the region as part of our efforts to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific. They also discussed a range of bilateral and regional issues including the climate crisis and the importance of freedom of the seas and adherence to UNCLOS principles in the South China Sea. They shared deep concerns regarding the crisis in Burma and recommitted to promoting a swift return to democracy.

On COVID-19, they discussed the surge of cases in Indonesia and Mr. Sullivan underscored that his thoughts are with all those affected and that the United States will continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Indonesian people and support them as they battle the pandemic. He noted that the new $30 million in U.S. assistance will support additional oxygen and medical supplies to treat COVID-19 patients and enhance Indonesia’s ability to get shots into arms by supporting cold chain vaccine distribution, facilities readiness, and other measures. They discussed U.S. efforts to serve as an arsenal of vaccines for the world and our singular focus on saving lives, and they welcomed the August 1 arrival of an additional 3.5 million U.S.-donated Moderna vaccine doses to Indonesia through COVAX, bringing the total to 8 million doses donated by the United States to Indonesia thus far. They also discussed the Defense Department’s donation of PPE to the Indonesian armed forces for distribution to the civilian medical system as part of the ongoing Garuda Shield exercise. Finally, they discussed Indonesia’s continued leadership in advancing global health security and agreed on the need to create sustainable global health partnerships to prepare for future biological threats.

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