Joint Statement on United States and Indonesia Health Cooperation

U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius met with the Honorable Dr. Siti Fadilah Supari, Minister of Health, Republic of Indonesia and her delegation today at the Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, D.C.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and its counterparts in the Government of Indonesia plan to intensify health cooperation within the context of a comprehensive partnership between the United States and Indonesia.  This renewed partnership may include fostering new scientific exchange and research activities.  Our collaboration may focus on basic clinical and public health research and training programs.  Both Governments hope to improve and expand existing bilateral and regional biomedical and public health research assets under joint civilian scientific leadership.

The meeting is a first step toward ministry-to-ministry collaboration as a critical tool for promoting scientific exchange, technology transfer, human resource development, intensified research and public health programs on diseases of global public health importance such as tuberculosis, malaria and influenza.  In an important step toward achieving this goal, the two Governments agreed to establish a new Indonesia – United States Center for Biomedical and Public Health Research under joint civilian scientific leadership.  Both Governments look forward to furthering their long and fruitful partnership by engaging in new and existing endeavors based on mutual respect and transparency.  To further our partnership, both Governments intend to hold an annual Senior Officials Meeting and to hold ministerial consultations on a regular basis.

Last revised: September 18, 2009