At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ annual press conference in Central Jakarta (January 10), Foreign Minister Sugiono announced that Indonesia is within the strategy of joining the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The announcement marks a major step following Indonesia’s recent membership of BRICS, a worldwide economic alliance that has turn out to be a focus of its foreign policy.
According to Sugiono, Indonesia’s progress towards OECD membership highlights the country’s strategic importance on the world stage. He also addressed criticism of Indonesia’s decision to hitch BRICS, which some say is contrary to the principles of the country’s foreign policy. However, he stressed that the move reflected the essence of Indonesia’s “free and energetic” foreign policy and strengthened its global diplomatic position.
BRICS membership can have no impact on the OECD offer
In this regard, Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs Susiwijono Moegiarso reiterated that Indonesia’s membership in BRICS won’t affect Indonesia’s accession process to the OECD. He said the 2 international forums have distinct but complementary characteristics that provide Indonesia with strategic benefits on the worldwide stage.
Susiwijono explained that each BRICS and OECD support Indonesia’s national interests in other ways. He noted that BRICS membership creates opportunities for broader international cooperation, increases market access and strengthens ties with major world economies.
Meanwhile, OECD membership focuses on aligning with international standards and technical regulations, that are crucial to boosting Indonesia’s global credibility.
Read also: Indonesia joins BRICS: a brand new era of world cooperation
OECD accession targets by 2027. Conclusion
The strategy of Indonesia’s accession to the OECD began under President Joko Widodo, when the National Team for the Preparation and Acceleration of Indonesia’s OECD Membership was established, with initial achievements expected to take three years. The accession process involves the preparation of a preliminary memorandum, a key document that serves as a requirement for meeting the standards for official OECD membership.
Deputy Minister for Economic Affairs Susiwijono stated that the federal government is currently focused on completing the Introductory Memorandum, which is predicted to be accomplished in the primary quarter of 2025. This document will likely be rigorously assessed by the OECD Secretariat and technical committees, which involve 26 committees in Indonesian ministries and agencies working together to satisfy over 200 international standards.
Once the committees’ assessments are accomplished, each committee’s formal opinions will form the idea of the OECD Council’s final decision on Indonesia’s membership. The government goals to finish your complete accession process by 2027.
Japan supports Indonesia’s membership within the OECD
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba expressed his commitment to supporting Indonesia within the strategy of joining the OECD. The statement was issued after Ishiba met with President Prabowo Subianto on the State Palace in Jakarta on Saturday (Jan 11).
As one in all only two Asian countries which might be members of the OECD, Japan has extensive experience with the organization. Japan joined the OECD in 1964, becoming the primary Asia-Pacific country to achieve this, followed by South Korea.
During the meeting, Ishiba noted that talks with Prabowo went beyond support for OECD membership. The two leaders also discussed broader issues, including strengthening bilateral ties and addressing regional issues. They each stressed the importance of maintaining and strengthening a free and open international order based on the rule of law, while discussing cooperation within the international arena.
