Jokowi Forms OECD National Team, Airlangga Has A New Task

Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto (Photo: dock. Antara)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) appointed Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto as Chief Executive of the National Team for Economic Cooperation and Economic Development Organizations (OECD).

This was stipulated through Presidential Decree (Keppres) Number 17 of 2024 concerning the National Team for the Preparation and Acceleration of Indonesian Membership in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

"Indonesia's accession process is an important event for members and partners of OECD," said Coordinating Minister Airlangga Hartarto quoting Antara.

Previously, following up on the Indonesian government's intention, the OECD Council had decided to open an accession discussion with Indonesia since February 20, 2024.

The OECD has then compiled and discussed the Indonesian Membership Accession Roadmap which was agreed upon by the OECD Council on March 29, 2024.

The process is relatively fast, which is for 7 months, since Indonesia officially conveyed its intention to become an OECD member in July 2023.

"As the first country in Southeast Asia to be invited to open discussions on OECD's accession and the largest economy in the region with the fastest growth in the world, Indonesia is determined to deepen integration and pave the transformative path towards growth and resilience in its entirety," said Airlangga.

The OECD National Team has four tasks. First, organizing and coordinating the preparation and acceleration of Indonesian membership in OECD.

Second, coordinating, negotiating, and garnering support for the preparation and acceleration of Indonesia's membership of the OECD Convention and other related international law instruments of OECD.

Third, identify, personalize priority sequences, and prepare recommendations for adjustments to the necessary laws and regulations.

Fourth, formulate and implement a strategy for implementing public communication and dissemination of information related to the preparation and acceleration of Indonesian membership in OECD.

In carrying out his duties as Chief Executive of the OECD National Team, Coordinating Minister Airlangga will be assisted by two Deputy Chairmen, namely the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The determination of the OECD National Team coincided with the holding of the OECD Ministerial Meeting (PTM) in Paris, France on May 2-3, 2024.

In the PTM which will be attended by Coordinating Minister Airlangga, the official handover of the Membership Accession Roadmap is scheduled for Indonesia.

After this stage, Indonesia will carry out an independent assessment of the conformity of national policies and standards with OECD national policies and standards.

The OECD membership access process itself will become a structural reform agenda carried out by the Government to become a high-income developed country as the 2045 Golden Indonesia Vision.

"With broad policy references and standards in various sectors owned by OECD, Indonesia's accession process is expected to be able to support sustainable structural reforms in Indonesia, as well as support policy improvement and regulation according to superior references," said Airlangga.

Furthermore, standard adjustments and policies will also affect increasing the level of global trust, increasing trade and investment, especially for technology and innovation collaboration, opening up market access for domestic exports, improving the quality of health, education, employment and infrastructure.