Foreign Minister Sugiono Ensures Ministry Of Foreign Affairs Continues To Improve Economic Diplomacy, Targets Non-Traditional Partners

JAKARTA - Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono ensured that the ministries he leads continue to improve economic diplomacy, targeting non-traditional partners.

The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs turned 80 years old on August 19, 2025. In an upload on the official Instagram account of the Indonesian Foreign Minister, Foreign Minister Sugiono said the challenges in the future would not be mild.

Asked about the possibility to open new representatives, such as at the consulate general level, to support Indonesian diplomacy, particularly the economy, Foreign Minister Sugiono did not rule out, as long as needed.

"We have economic attaches, trade attaches. We will see, first, it is still in the context of efficiency. Kelang does have posts that we consider important to open a new Consul General, a new attach, we will consider that as long as there is a need," he explained to reporters in Jakarta, Wednesday, August 20.

"But if it can still be handled by existing work units, I think we can be used," he said.

Regarding economic diplomacy, Foreign Minister Sugiono said there was a formation of a new directorate general within the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs which was proposed 10 months ago to make efforts to increase economic diplomacy.

"Kita juga kemarin sudah bekerja sama dengan Danantara, untuk bisa menjadi semacam ambassador yang memperkenalkan Danantara ke tingkat global," tandasnya.

The Directorate General referred to by Foreign Minister Sugiono is the Directorate General of Economic Relations and Development Cooperation (HEKSP). In the Annual Press Statement of the Minister of Foreign Affairs on January 9, Foreign Minister Sugiono said the addition of the new directorate general was a form of Indonesia's innovative economic diplomacy strategy, so that all economic diplomacy could be more coordinated and synchronized.

"Through the formation of this new Directorate General, we hope that the police and their equipment will achieve harmony, in line with President Prabowo's vision," said Foreign Minister Sugiono at the time.

As of this year, Indonesia has recorded 94 Indonesian Embassys, 30 Indonesian Consulate Generals, 4 Indonesian Consulates and 1 Trade and Economic Office, in addition to the Permanent Termination of the Republic of Indonesia (PTRI) for ASEAN and PTRI for the United Nations in New York and Geneva.

"When I first said, we will look for non-traditional places (non-traditional countries), whether it's Global South or outside Global South, wherever we try," he said when asked whether the development of economic diplomacy would focus on the South Global region or not.

At the BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil last month, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto proposed that BRICS become a motor to provide wider access to the Global South country, affirming Indonesia's position in strengthening the multilateral system and economic cooperation of developing countries.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Arrmanatha Nasir (Tata), said President Prabowo at this session proposed the initiative "South-South Economic Compact."

According to Deputy Foreign Minister Tata, the proposal aims to ensure that the state of BRICS can become a motor to provide wider access to Global South countries.

"Here the goal is for BRICS countries to become motorbikes to provide wider access to global countries of society for trade, to also integrate their economy more to be a part and a Global South," said Deputy Foreign Minister Tata.