Deputy Assistant Secretary for Asia Pamela Phan Remarks - June 6, 2022

Jakarta, Indonesia
June 6, 2022

As Prepared for Delivery

I’m delighted to be in Indonesia to officially kick off the Clean EDGE Asia—Enhancing Development and Growth through Energy Business Development Mission.

I am here representing our International Trade Administration Under Secretary Marisa Lago. She wanted me to express to you her deepest gratitude for taking part in what will be an engaging and exciting program today. She is personally vested in your success here in Indonesia, and our team is here to help you make that happen.

I’ll also begin by offering my deep gratitude to all the Government of Indonesia representatives joining us here for your steadfast support in making this trade mission a success.

To our trade mission participants—welcome to Jakarta and to the first in-person U.S. government-led trade mission to Southeast Asia since 2019. Over the next week, here in Indonesia and at stops in Vietnam and the Philippines, you’ll have unparalleled opportunities to meet, network, learn and explore partnerships—with government officials, private sector executives and each other. I urge you to take advantage of every moment, even while fighting off the jet lag.

I so appreciate having two senior U.S. Government colleagues joining me today—Director Enoh Ebong, who heads the United States Trade and Development Agency as well as representatives from the Export-Import Bank of the United States. Your presence is a testament to the importance of this visit, and the urgency of strengthening our engagement—in Indonesia, the broader region and the clean technology sector alike. I thank you for joining me in supporting U.S. exporters and building on our warm bilateral ties.

The United States deeply values its close, productive partnership with Indonesia.  As the second and third most populous democracies in the world, our nations share cherished democratic values. And we likewise share a vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific region, in which Indonesia is a key leader.

Late last month, our nations took a major step toward the latter goal with the launch of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Enhancing Prosperity (IPEF). IPEF, which consists of the United States, Indonesia, and 12 other partners, is the centerpiece of the U.S.’ economic strategy in the Indo-Pacific. Under this foundational framework, our nations will continue to deepen commercial relations, advance shared economic policy priorities and ensure mutual competitiveness.

This includes working together with Indonesia and other partners in the region to ensure trusted data flows and shared technological leadership; to develop resilient and secure supply chains; to promote good governance and tax policy; and, most crucially for this group, to advance clean energy, decarbonization and environmental sustainability.

Our trade mission can serve as a catalyst—connecting U.S. clean tech exporters with Indonesian partners, supporting Indonesia in reducing emissions and meeting its Paris Agreement commitments, and deepening our commercial ties in a fast-growing sector crucial to the future economy of both of our nations.  

One particularly compelling area for cooperation is Indonesia’s plans to build a sparkling new capital city, Nusantara, in East Kalimantan that strives to be a shining example of smart and sustainable growth.  

I am pleased that Bambang Susantaro of the Nusantara New Capital City Authority is with us today, as it is with great pleasure that I announce today that my U.S. Commercial Service team is launching new programming that will further our collaboration to support a strong urban and digital economy for Nusantara.

My thanks to the U.S. State Department and the U.S.-ASEAN Smart Cities Partnership for helping us establish a forum for sharing best practices and providing technical collaboration.

From this ambitious project to expanding clean energy generation and storage, this trade mission offers abundant opportunities here in Indonesia, and throughout the region.  Missions like Clean EDGE are a powerful tool for strengthening economies and empowering workers on both sides of the Pacific.  

To my private sector colleagues—your hard work during this trade mission will yield new partnerships and opportunities. The resources, connections and insights that you gain this week will underpin stronger, more equitable and more sustainable economic growth for both nations. I encourage you to take advantage of every minute of unparalleled access to partners and decisionmakers in these crucial markets. Our International Trade Administration team will support you every step of the way as we work to grow U.S. clean tech exports to the region, to strengthen vital bilateral commercial relationships and to catalyze climate progress. 

Beyond this week’s trade mission, I—and senior leaders across the Biden-Harris Administration—look forward to continuing discussions with Coordinating Minister Arafin, Minister Luhut, Minister Lutfi and other Indonesian leaders to advance our shared energy, climate and other policy goals, especially under IPEF. 

I’ll reiterate my thanks to our warm and gracious Indonesian hosts. To my private sector colleagues who are on this journey—I’ll be eager to see all that you accomplish.

Thank you, Terima kasih.