Russian Ambassador to Indonesia Sergei Gennadievich Tolchenov met with Wali Nanggroe Aceh Tgk Malik Mahmud Al Haythar to discuss the next steps in implementing multisectoral cooperation between Aceh and the Russian Federation.
“Partnerships with Russia can pave the way for knowledge transfer and capacity building across various sectors,” said Tgk Malik Mahmud in a statement from Aceh Besar on Monday, November 3, 2025, as quoted by Antara.
The meeting, held at the Meuligoe of the Wali Nanggroe in Aceh Besar, underscored Aceh’s commitment to strengthening international ties, particularly with countries experienced in technological advancement and human resource development.
“Aceh welcomes collaborations that bring tangible benefits to its people, especially in renewable energy development, education quality improvement, and the advancement of agriculture and plantation sectors,” he added.
Ambassador Tolchenov noted that Aceh’s relationship with Russia, particularly with the Republic of Tatarstan and the city of Kazan, has been steadily growing. “We aim to deepen this collaboration through joint programs, shared projects, and other mutually beneficial initiatives,” he said.
He also expressed Russia’s openness to providing educational opportunities for Acehnese youth, especially students seeking to pursue higher education in Russia.
At the same time, he encouraged Russian companies to explore investment opportunities in Aceh, citing the province’s rich natural resources and strategic location along the Malacca Strait. “There is significant potential for cooperation in energy, transportation, agriculture, and education,” Tolchenov emphasized.
Zulfikar Idris, Head of Cooperation and Public Relations at the Wali Nanggroe Office, explained that the meeting was part of a broader, long-term engagement between Aceh and Russia that has evolved over recent years.
In 2022, the Wali Nanggroe initiated cooperation with the Republic of Tatarstan, a Russian federal subject known for its strengths in technology and education. During a visit to Kazan, the Wali met with officials from Tatarstan’s Ministry of Education to discuss sending Acehnese students to Russia and enhancing human resource capacity in energy and natural resource management.
That effort culminated in mid-2024 with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between several Acehnese universities and Kazan State Power Engineering University (KSPEU). The agreement covers student and faculty exchanges, joint research, and technology transfer in the fields of energy and engineering.
Looking ahead to 2025, Aceh has also presented its investment potential to Russian stakeholders at various international economic forums, highlighting opportunities in agriculture, renewable energy, logistics, and halal tourism.
“All of these efforts reflect Aceh’s consistent diplomatic direction, building global networks rooted in education, technology, and investment,” Zulfikar concluded.
\\rri.co.id/en/international/1948188/aceh-russia-explore-deeper-multisectoral-cooperation