This paper examines the role of Indonesian aid as development diplomacy to strengthen Indonesia's soft power, focusing on the Lembaga Dana Kerja Sama Pembangunan Internasional (LDKPI) established in 2019 as Indonesia's first international development agency. The paper addresses two research questions: (1) how can Indonesian aid maximize Indonesia's soft power; and (2) what can Indonesian aid le…
Indonesia has enormous resources of renewable energy spreading throughout the country. As part of its commitment to Paris Agreement, Indonesia has pledged to increase its renewable energy share up to 23% in the energy mix by 2025 and up to 31% by 2050. Yet, penetration of renewables as a clean energy source in the country remains limited and fall far below the target. As challenges in devel…
This paper proposes the implementation of a Nonreciprocal Preferential Trade Scheme (NRPTS) to elevate Indonesia's engagement in the South Pacific region, where Indonesia and Pacific countries face common challenges such as rising sea levels and the pursuit of welfare through economic development. Although Indonesia's engagement and partnership have steadily grown at bilateral, regional, and gl…
This paper examines Indonesia's need to develop comprehensive diaspora management, noting that Indonesia is the eleventh largest country with approximately 4.5–8 million diaspora population worldwide (based on 2019 data from UN DESA and Indonesia Diaspora Network Global), yet lacks a comprehensive plan to manage its diaspora abroad. Case studies from India, China, and Turkey affirm that diasp…
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of effective governance and human capital development in strengthening public services. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia (Kemlu) has introduced various training and knowledge-sharing initiatives, but these remain sporadic and unorganized. This paper proposes an integrated e-learning and repository system to support Kemlu’s human res…
Economic diplomacy is a key priority for Indonesia, and the Indonesian Embassy in Moscow has organized the annual Festival Indonesia Moscow to promote trade, tourism, and investment between Indonesia and Russia. Although the festival has increased interest in Indonesian products and attracted Russian tourists, its economic impact remains limited due to insufficient participation from small and …
The 2021 Myanmar coup has exposed ASEAN’s limitations in responding effectively to regional crises, particularly due to its consensus-based decision-making process and the slow implementation of the Five-Point Consensus. This paper examines ASEAN’s decision-making framework under the ASEAN Charter and evaluates its effectiveness in addressing the Myanmar crisis. It argues that ASEAN needs t…
The growing global demand for vegetable oils, particularly palm oil, soybeans, rapeseed, and sunflower oil, presents challenges in balancing production with environmental sustainability. This paper examines the European Union’s policies on palm oil biofuels and highlights inconsistencies in its treatment of different vegetable oils. It argues that palm oil can contribute to achieving several …
Indonesia’s economic diplomacy strategy emphasizes strengthening trade, investment, and tourism through its diplomatic missions abroad. However, many Indonesian diplomats lack specialized economic expertise and adequate resources to support these activities effectively. This paper identifies key challenges faced by economic officers, including knowledge and competency gaps, insufficient guide…
The transportation sector is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, making electric vehicles (EVs) a potential solution to reduce pollution and dependence on fossil fuels. As global demand for EVs increases, Indonesia has a strategic advantage due to its abundant nickel resources, which are essential for battery production. This paper examines the potential of Indonesia’s EV industry and…