This photo taken on Sept. 3, 2024 shows the closing press conference of the 2nd Indonesia-Africa Forum (IAF) in Bali, Indonesia. The 2nd Indonesia-Africa Forum concluded on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)

BALI, Indonesia, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- The 2nd Indonesia-Africa Forum (IAF), held from Sunday in Bali, Indonesia, concluded on Tuesday.

The IAF, themed "Bandung Spirit for Africa's Agenda 2063," gathered over 1,400 delegates from 29 countries, including seven heads of state from Asia and Africa, as well as ministers, entrepreneurs and scholars. The event focused on strengthening partnerships between Indonesia and African nations in the key sectors of energy, food security, health and minerals.

Dewi Justicia Meidiwaty, director for African Affairs at Indonesia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, highlighted on Tuesday that the IAF successfully strengthened economic ties between Indonesia and African countries as the forum served as a strategic platform for state-owned enterprises, national companies, private companies, as well as micro, small, and medium enterprises to establish mutually beneficial cooperation with partners from Africa.

"The IAF 2024 is expected to drive economic growth and strengthen Indonesia's position on the international stage through the various agreements signed," said Meidiwaty.

Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi underscored the forum's success during a press briefing on Monday. She noted that business deals amounting to 3.5 billion U.S. dollars were recorded at the forum, a significant increase from the 586.6 million U.S. dollars recorded during the first IAF in 2018.

She also announced that Indonesia will host the Platinum Jubilee of the Asian-African Conference in 2025, celebrating the 70th anniversary of the historic event.