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Indonesia and Europe Strengthen Partnership on Sustainable Transport Development
Press Conference Indonesia Europe Roundtable on sustainable transport development © Gemisen Asia
Government representatives, European institutions, development partners, industry leaders, and transport experts gathered today at the Indonesia–Europe Roundtable on Sustainable Transport Development, held alongside RailwayTech Indonesia 2026. Organised by MASKA (Indonesia Railway Society) in cooperation with the European Union, the German Government and KfW Development Bank, the event forms part of the European Union's Global Gateway initiative, reaffirming the shared commitment of Indonesia and Europe to advance sustainable, resilient, and high-quality transport infrastructure through trusted international partnerships.
The roundtable provided a platform for Indonesian and European stakeholders to exchange perspectives on the future of Indonesia's mobility and railway sector. Discussions focused on multimodal transport integration, Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), financing and investment opportunities, and the role of international cooperation in accelerating sustainable, low-carbon, and inclusive transport systems. In this context, participants highlighted Germany’s role as a long-standing partner to Indonesia's mobility sector, emphasizing its readiness to finance high-quality infrastructure and support related structural reforms. The event also enabled European companies to showcase their expertise and innovative solutions to support Indonesia's transport modernisation.
As one of the flagship activities under the Global Gateway initiative, the roundtable highlighted the European Union's commitment to strengthening sustainable connectivity through strategic investments, technology transfer and long-term partnerships. A premier example of this cooperation is Germany's landmark contribution to Indonesia's urban transit landscape: The Surabaya Regional Railway Line (SRRL) project. Implemented by KfW Development Bank, this initiative provides €236 million for its first phase to modernize and electrify the Surabaya–Sidoarjo commuter line, delivering climate-resilient mobility. Bringing together government institutions, development partners, financial institutions, business associations and the private sector, the event fostered dialogue on practical opportunities for collaboration that support Indonesia's mobility transition and economic development.
“Sustainable transport is fundamental to Indonesia's economic growth, connectivity and green transition. Through the Global Gateway strategy, the EU is committed to mobilising quality investments, sharing European expertise and fostering partnerships that deliver modern, resilient and low-carbon transport infrastructure. By bringing together public authorities, development finance institutions and the private sector, this roundtable demonstrates how Indonesia and Europe can translate dialogue into concrete cooperation, business opportunities and long-term investment.” said H.E. Denis Chaibi, Ambassador of the European Union to Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam.
The discussions concluded with a shared commitment to deepen Indonesia–Europe cooperation on sustainable transport development. By strengthening partnerships between public and private stakeholders, the event is expected to generate new investment opportunities, promote innovative transport solutions, and contribute to the development of a modern, efficient and climate-resilient transport system for Indonesia.
“Germany and Indonesia have built a longstanding and trusted partnership in transport infrastructure. We are proud to contribute to Indonesia's sustainable mobility ambitions through initiatives such as the Surabaya Regional Railway Line. As Indonesia advances towards climate-resilient and future-oriented transport systems, German and European companies stand ready to cooperate by bringing in high-quality expertise, innovative technologies, and durable solutions. To this aim, dialogue formats like today's roundtable are essential for connecting partners and fostering investments that strengthen efficient, reliable, and sustainable public transport for the benefit of all.”, said Mr. Oliver Sperling, designated Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Jakarta.
About the European Union (EU)
The European Union (EU) is the economic and political union of 27 Member States with a population of 447 million. Together, the EU has built a zone of stability, democracy and sustainable development while maintaining cultural diversity, tolerance and individual freedom. The EU is the world's largest trading bloc, and the world's largest source and destination of foreign direct investment. Collectively, the EU and its Member States are the largest donors of Official Development Assistance (ODA), providing more than half of ODA globally.
The 27 Member States of the EU are: Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland and Sweden.
For more information about the EU and its relations and cooperation with Indonesia, access:
http://eeas.europa.eu/indonesia
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About Global Gateway
Global Gateway is a European strategy to boost smart, clean and secure links in digital, energy and transport sectors and to strengthen health, education and research systems across the world. The European Commission and the EU Member States launched it in 2021.
Global Gateway already mobilised €306 billion in investments through a Team Europe approach, bringing together the EU and its Member States, including financial and development institutions and private sector actors. Supporting EU values and interests, the focus of the Global Gateway strategy is on smart investments in quality infrastructure, respecting the highest social and environmental standards and delivering transformational impacts for the people.
For more info about Global Gateway, access: https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/policies/global-gateway/global-gateway-overview_en
About German Development Cooperation with Indonesia
Indonesia is a global partner country of the German development cooperation, which – due to its high regional significance and its strong economic performance – plays a crucial role in protecting global public goods. Indonesian-German development cooperation focuses on three core areas: (1) Climate and Energy, Just Transition, (2) Conserving Nature and Natural Resources, Protecting Life on Earth as well as (3) Sustainable Urban development with Circular Economy and transportation. The active portfolio consists of €3.14 billion spread across 53 bilateral projects, including €3.01 billion in Financial Cooperation (FC) (primarily concessional loans; and additionally, €1.08 billion in KfW promotional loans) and €129.65 million in Technical Cooperation (TC).
For more information about German Development Cooperation with Indonesia, access: https://www.bmz.de/en/countries/indonesia
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About KfW Development Bank
KfW Development Bank is a leading global development bank and part of KfW Group, one of the world’s leading promotional banks. On behalf of the German Federal Government, KfW finances and supports programs that promote sustainable economic, social, and environmental development worldwide. By combining financial expertise with development experience, KfW helps partner countries build resilient infrastructure, combat climate change, and improve living conditions.
In Indonesia, KfW has been a trusted strategic partner for over five decades, supporting the nation’s transition toward a green, inclusive, and modern economy. Operating under the German-Indonesian Development Cooperation framework, KfW’s portfolio focuses heavily on renewable energy, climate change mitigation, environmental protection, and sustainable urban infrastructure. Through strategic financing, KfW helps modernize Indonesia's public transport, advance its energy transition, and safeguard vital ecosystems.
For more information about KfW Development Bank and its operations, please visit: kfw-entwicklungsbank.de
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