Despite being the world’s largest Muslim population and the economy with the highest gross domestic product (GDP) among Muslim-majority countries, Indonesia is currently the biggest global halal food market, but nowhere among the major global halal food producers and exporters. The Indonesia Islamic Economic Masterplan (MEKSI) 2019-2024 has outlined a set of strategies to achieve the visi…
This paper examines the need to refocus strategy in preparing Indonesian diplomats to engage with Papua issues, given that competing narratives on Indonesia's sovereignty over Papua remain dominant in public and academic discourses, while accusations of human rights violations and constant questioning of Papua's history benefit separatist narratives. Indonesian diplomats overseas are tasked wit…
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…
This paper examines how the People's Republic of China (PRC) manages the Xinjiang issue through diplomatic means to protect its sovereignty, serving as a case study for Indonesia in addressing the Papua separatism issue, which also faces internationalization efforts and human rights violation allegations. Aligned with Indonesia's Diplomacy Priorities 2019–2024 (4+1 Priorities) placing soverei…
This paper examines the role of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) in supporting greater use of the Local Currency Settlement Framework (LCSF), an international monetary cooperation initiated by Indonesia with Malaysia and Thailand in 2017 to reduce dependence on the U.S. Dollar (USD). Data from Bank Indonesia shows that 90% of Indonesia's international trade transactions still use USD, exp…
This paper examines the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in supporting economic diplomacy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia (MOFA RI) as a continuation of the 4+1 foreign policy priorities. Although many digital tools have emerged over the past two decades to facilitate trade and business, economic diplomacy practice remains largely traditional…
When donors contemplate providing financial support to United Nations Institutions, they encounter a menu of funding options, which are mandatory and voluntary contributions. With the further option to earmark for specific purposes, donors' resources have real effects on UN governing bodies' authority, control over UN programs, and UN operation efficiency. This paper argues that Indonesia …
The crucial role of Indonesianists in shaping global understanding and policy towards Indonesia is examined in this paper. Indonesianists are scholars and experts who specialise in Indonesian studies. The areas that this global understanding and policy covers are politics, culture and economics. From Benedict Anderson's analysis of nationalism to Clifford Geertz's ethnographic insights, Indones…
The Workshop on Managing Potential Conflict in the South China Sea provides an informal platform for dialogue and confidence-building among regional stakeholders. However, declining participation, political posturing, and limited non-governmental involvement have reduced its relevance. Transitioning the Workshop into a fully Track Two diplomacy platform can revitalize its role by establishing a…