The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia (MOFA) has designed and implemented several digital platforms to assist diplomats and Missions in boosting economic diplomacy. Such initiatives are deemed necessary as advancements in the digital age have compelled the practice of diplomacy to adapt with constant innovation. However, while MOFA opts to address popular public inquiries…
In the world of diplomacy, communication is key and therefore, proficiency in foreign languages is of the utmost importance. In this sense, qualified and skillful human resource is an important asset of the organization. While English language fluency is the standard, given its dominant usage in bilateral, regional, or international forum, it alone is no longer sufficient. More often than not, …
Indonesia has significant blue carbon resources and an emerging carbon-governance framework but has yet to establish coordinated regional leadership through the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (CTI-CFF). Uneven regulatory frameworks, monitoring systems, safeguards, and project-development capacities among member countries limit regional cooperation and acce…
For decades, the relationship between Indonesia and the Pacific Islands region is unkempt. Indonesia is still recognized as a ‘new friend’ to its eastern part neighbors, while the Pacific Islands region is still perceived as a ‘far away land’ that Indonesia barely looks into it let alone has a warm and meaningful relationship. Although in the 1970s, Indonesia situated the Pacific Island…
Middle powers are increasingly using mediation to strengthen their diplomatic influence and international standing. Indonesia has significant potential to become a mediator through its independent and active foreign policy, diplomatic networks, and peacebuilding experience. However, the absence of institutionalized mediation capabilities limits its ability to engage consistently in internationa…
This paper examines how Indonesia can sustain its investment in Myanmar. In her 2019 speech on Indonesia’s foreign policy priorities, the Minister for Foreign Affairs emphasized that Indonesian companies, including state-owned enterprises, should develop outbound investment strategies in synergy with the national interest and that Indonesian investment abroad must be protected. Indonesia–My…
Public support plays an important role in foreign diplomacy by strengthening national image and promoting Indonesia’s achievements internationally. Through linguistic, cultural, and global competencies, Indonesian citizens can act as citizen diplomats and foster positive perceptions of Indonesia. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs can support this role by managing public internship programs that…
This paper explores options for empowering Indonesian diplomats through economic analysis training as a strategy to strengthen Indonesia’s diplomatic infrastructure. Economic diplomacy is one of Indonesia’s “4+1 Priorities” in foreign policy and requires support from all stakeholders, particularly diplomats as the main drivers of Indonesia’s economic diplomacy abroad. The complexity o…
In 2014 the newly-elected president Joko Widodo stated his goals and programs in “Nawacita”. Of the Nawacita’s nine programs, two of them are in economic domain, namely : to enhance people’s productivity and competitiveness in global market; and economic self-sufficiency. In this light, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia (Kemlu) promptly responded with establishing Economic Di…
The importance of a marriage record is not only as a statement that the marriage is legal in the eyes of the state, but its legality status will also affect the status of children, spouse, and assets, during the marriage. Yet, many Indonesian migrant workers are unaware that the recording of the marriage has a profound effect on other aspects of family law, such as marital status, child status,…