Economic diplomacy forms important pillar of Indonesia’s foreign policy in 2025

Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono has positioned economic diplomacy at the forefront of the nation's international engagement strategy.

At his first-ever annual address as foreign minister, Sugiono said that the world is facing multiple interconnected crises, with no region remaining untouched by conflicts and tensions, from the Middle East to Europe, Africa to the Americas and the Caribbean.

Asia is experiencing escalating geopolitical competition and regional strains, he pointed out, highlighting several pressing global challenges like the climate crisis and concerns regarding food, energy and water security that could exacerbate the vulnerability across the globe, threaten people’s lives, and affect global peace and order.

He expressed particular concern about the potential impact of rapidly evolving technologies, specifically AI, which he described as a double-edged sword offering both conveniences and potential threats to global stability.

Sugiono emphasized the erosion of global solidarity and cooperation, pointing to a growing disregard for international law and the UN Charter, coupled with an outdated global economic architecture that fails to address contemporary challenges and the needs of most nations.

Against the backdrop, Indonesia’s economic diplomacy will focus on concretizing President Prabowo Subianto’s key objectives, including strengthening national sovereignty, enhancing food and energy resilience, accelerating green energy transition, and bolstering the digital and creative economy.

He stressed that sustainable economic development and growth represent a fundamental pillar of Indonesia's diplomacy, and the country will intensify its economic diplomatic efforts, advocating a more inclusive and equitable global economic architecture through a creative diplomatic strategy.

Looking ahead to Indonesia's Vision 2045, Sugiono underscored the need for a robust diplomatic stance befitting Indonesia's status as a major power.