This paper proposes elevating trade diplomacy as a core pillar of Indonesia's Pacific strategy to strengthen influence and trust amid intensifying geopolitical competition with implications for Papua-related narratives. Although Indonesia has built strong diplomatic goodwill through development cooperation, its trade presence in the Pacific—particularly in Melanesia—lags behind key partners…
Since the military coup led by the Tatmadaw in February 2021, the situation in Myanmar has continued to deteriorate under the State Administrative Council (SAC), which has waged a brutal campaign against resistance groups, escalating violence across the country. In response, ASEAN Member States agreed on the "Five-Point Consensus" (5PC) in April 2021 as a diplomatic framework for peaceful resol…
Egypt has become one of the most popular study destinations for Indonesian students, hosting 11,439 students as of August 2023—the largest number in the Middle East and possibly worldwide, with the majority enrolled at Al Azhar University. However, many students face significant academic and non-academic challenges during their studies, including a sharp rise in academic failures and cases in…
Public opinion plays an increasingly important role in shaping Indonesia's foreign policy, particularly in the context of the Russia-Ukraine war and Indonesia's position as a middle-power democracy. While Indonesian public opinion tends to lean toward anti-Western sentiment and sympathy for Russia and President Vladimir Putin, the government's official voting stance at the UN General Assembly i…
Indonesia can improve the quality and strategic use of Data Economic Intelligence (DEI) reports by strengthening their drafting and utilization procedures. Collaboration with think tank institutions can provide quality assessment, expert feedback, and knowledge sharing while strengthening the analytical capacity of diplomatic staff. Bilateral Units can continue utilizing finalized DEI reports f…
This policy paper examines how the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemlu) can implement its economic diplomacy mandates on energy transition more consistently and effectively, and identifies necessary internal institutional reforms. Despite considerable diplomatic engagement across multilateral and bilateral forums, established partnerships have not significantly accelerated Indonesia's domestic e…
The ASEAN-China Guidelines for Hotline Communications in Response to Maritime Emergencies in the South China Sea remain underimplemented despite their role as a confidence-building measure. Limited exercises, unclear procedures, and the absence of regular evaluation have weakened the hotline’s practical effectiveness. A three-year implementation framework should establish national focal point…
This paper discusses strengthening knowledge management at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through digital transformation and the utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the efficiency of diplomatic operations. Challenges include the dispersal of documents across various locations, the loss of institutional knowledge due to staff rotation, and the absence of an integrated, easily…
Indonesia’s development cooperation (IDC) has expanded over the past two decades but remains underutilized as a strategic instrument of foreign policy. Its effectiveness is constrained by the absence of a unified strategic vision, fragmented coordination, limited institutional capacity, and heavy reliance on state-budget funding. Revitalizing IDC requires a formal strategic framework, stronge…
This paper examines the use of Islamic social finance—specifically zakat—as a means to support sustainable development financing and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through Indonesian diplomacy. Leveraging Indonesia’s identity as the nation with the world's largest Muslim population, alongside its moderate and inclusive approach to Islam, would enable the Minis…