Visit by Indonesian President Joko Widodo for the Singapore-Indonesia Leaders' Retreat

Indonesian President Joko Widodo will visit Singapore from 6 to 7 September 2017 for the Singapore-Indonesia Leaders’ Retreat with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. The last Leaders’ Retreat was held in Semarang, Indonesia, on 14 November 2016. 

7 September 2017 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Singapore and Indonesia (RISING50 ). For this milestone celebration, we have developed commemorative activities around the theme of “Trusted Partners, RISING together”. As part of the celebrations, Prime Minister Lee and President Joko Widodo will plant the “RISING Tree”  in the Learning Forest at the Singapore Botanic Gardens, as well as unveil a joint stamp issue and launch a RISING50 commemorative book at the Istana. The Leaders will also witness a joint flypast by the Republic of Singapore Air Force and the Indonesian Air Force, and a combined military band performance at the Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore (MBCCS). This underscores the close working relationship and excellent defence ties that the two militaries have built up over the decades. 

Prime Minister Lee and Mrs Lee will host President Joko Widodo and First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo to a private breakfast at the Singapore Botanic Gardens, and to an official lunch with the Indonesia and Singapore delegations at the Istana. During their Retreat discussions, the Leaders will exchange views on regional and international developments, review the progress of bilateral relations at this historic RISING50 milestone, and explore new areas for cooperation across multiple sectors including in economic collaboration, security cooperation, and cultural exchanges. The Leaders will also follow-up on discussions from the 2016 Retreat in the areas of energy, digital economy, tourism, and skills training. Several Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) to enhance collaboration in these areas will also be signed at the Leaders’ Retreat.

The Leaders will also attend the Singapore-Indonesia Investment Forum at the MBCCS, and meet members of the Indonesia-Singapore Business Council, which was formally established on 28 July 2017 following discussions between the Leaders at the 2016 Retreat.

President Joko Widodo will be accompanied by First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo, and a high-level delegation comprising several Ministers and Ministerial-ranked officials. The Singapore delegation includes Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean and several Cabinet Ministers.

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PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE
SINGAPORE
6 SEPTEMBER 2017