JAKARTA – United States Ambassador to Indonesia Joseph R. Donovan Jr. extended the U.S.-Indonesia Strategic Partnership to Indonesia’s youngest province September 13-15, during the first-ever visit to North Kalimantan by a U.S. ambassador. The Ambassador met with Deputy Governor Udin Hianggio, Deputy Police Chief Zainal Paliwang, Deputy Mayor Khaeruddin Arief Hidayat, representatives of the Tarakan branches of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce (KADIN) and Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association (HIPMI), Pelindo IV management at the Tarakan port, and students and faculty at SMPN1 and Universitas Borneo. The Ambassador also visited a local shrimp processor that exports to the United States and the mangrove forest in Tarakan, and observed Dayak culture at the Tidung Cultural Center. The Ambassador also met with American citizens providing life-saving aviation services to rural communities in Kalimantan.
The Ambassador’s visit highlighted opportunities for expanding commercial partnerships between the United States and Indonesia, especially in energy and infrastructure. The Ambassador encouraged provincial leaders to follow the U.S.-Indonesia model of “partnership economics,” which respects national sovereignty and attracts high-quality, transparent and financially sustainable investment. Vice Governor Udin Hianggio welcomed U.S. investment and shared North Kalimantan’s plans to grow the province.
During a visit to Public Junior High School 1 (SMPN1) and Universitas Borneo, the Ambassador encouraged students to be part of the upcoming 70th anniversary of U.S.-Indonesia relations by participating in the Embassy’s exchange programs, such as the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) and the Youth Exchange and Scholarship (YES) program. He also encouraged faculty to take advantage of the Embassy’s Regional English Language Office, which provides support to English teachers throughout Indonesia.
The Ambassador reviewed U.S.-Indonesia law-enforcement cooperation with Deputy Police Chief Zaenal Paliwang, including several upcoming joint training opportunities. The Deputy Police Chief welcomed the U.S. government’s commitment to supporting capacity building for Indonesian law enforcement to counter transnational threats, including terrorism, drug trafficking and smuggling.
Throughout his visit, the Ambassador emphasized that the U.S.-Indonesia Strategic Partnership extends to all corners of Indonesia and is grounded in shared values, people-to-people ties, and mutual respect.
