Jakarta/Alberta. Indonesia and Canada moved closer to expanding cooperation in energy, food security and higher education this week as Alberta Premier Danielle Smith signaled interest in visiting Indonesia amid the final stages of the Indonesia-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (ICA-CEPA) ratification process.

Indonesian Ambassador to Canada Muhsin Syihab led a strategic working visit to Alberta on May 11–12, accompanied by Indonesian Consul General in Vancouver Nina Kurnia Widhi and officials from the Indonesian Embassy in Ottawa and the Consulate General in Vancouver.

The visit focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in three strategic sectors: energy security, food security and higher education partnerships.

During a series of meetings at the Alberta Legislature Building on May 11, the Indonesian delegation held talks with Alberta Lieutenant Governor Salma Lakhani, Premier Danielle Smith, Minister of Advanced Education Myles McDougall, Minister of Energy and Minerals Brian Jean, and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Ric McIver.

Muhsin said the timing was critical as Canada’s ratification process for ICA-CEPA had entered its final stage, known as Royal Assent, following the completion of parliamentary deliberations.

The trade pact is expected to significantly expand economic cooperation between Indonesia and Canada, particularly at the provincial level.

“ICA-CEPA will only deliver optimal benefits if all stakeholders actively utilize it, including the Government of Alberta,” Muhsin said during the meetings.

He also emphasized Alberta’s strategic role in Canada’s economy as a major contributor to national energy and food security.

Muhsin invited Premier Smith to visit Indonesia to explore concrete areas of cooperation and encouraged Alberta officials to participate in the Alberta-Indonesia Energy Forum scheduled for June 8 in Calgary.

The forum is expected to bring together major energy stakeholders from both countries.

Premier Smith welcomed the proposals and expressed interest in strengthening ties with Indonesia through direct engagement.

“Indonesia is an important and strategic country with which Alberta wants to build a stronger partnership in the future,” Smith said.

The Indonesian delegation also pushed for stronger people-to-people relations through higher education cooperation.

Muhsin proposed institutional collaboration between Alberta’s Ministry of Advanced Education and Indonesia’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology to serve as an umbrella framework for university partnerships.

“As a key player in the Indo-Pacific region, Indonesia is a strategic partner for Alberta. This also aligns with and strengthens Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy,” Muhsin said.

Alberta’s higher education minister responded positively, highlighting the importance of academic collaboration as a long-term pillar of Indonesia-Alberta relations.

Energy cooperation also featured prominently during the visit.

Muhsin highlighted Alberta’s position as Canada’s leading oil-producing province, saying the region had become increasingly important amid supply disruptions linked to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and constraints on oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.

Brian Jean, Alberta’s Energy and Minerals Minister, said the province was ready to work with Indonesia to strengthen energy resilience while diversifying Alberta’s international partnerships.

“Alberta is prepared to cooperate with Indonesia to enhance Indonesia’s energy security while also diversifying Alberta’s strategic partners,” Jean said.

Jean also invited Indonesian state-owned enterprises to invest in Canadian oil refinery projects to help secure long-term energy supplies from Alberta to Indonesia.

On May 12, the Indonesian delegation met representatives from the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce and Edmonton Global to discuss trade and investment opportunities between Alberta and Indonesian businesses.

The visit concluded with talks at the University of Alberta, one of Canada’s leading research universities.

Muhsin encouraged the university to formalize partnerships with Indonesian institutions to support broader and more structured collaboration.

He specifically proposed cooperation in petroleum engineering programs, noting that the University of Alberta is globally recognized in the field and could support Indonesia’s needs as a major energy-producing country.

The ambassador also suggested collaboration on the establishment of Asia-Pacific studies programs involving leading Indonesian universities.

The visit underscored Indonesia’s efforts to build what officials described as a substantive, equal and results-oriented partnership with Alberta ahead of the anticipated implementation of ICA-CEPA.

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