Retno Marsudi Will Not Be Far From Diplomacy Activities After Reducing From The Ministry Of Foreign Affairs

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi plans not to be separated from diplomatic activities after retiring from the highest position at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"My blood is diplomat blood. Being a diplomat is the only job I've been through for almost 40 years. So I think whatever activity I do will not go far, if there are still activities," said Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, quoted from Antara, Saturday, August 24.

Retno conveyed this in an interview after meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the meeting of the 5th Bilateral Cooperation Joint Commission (Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation or JCBC) at Wisma Negara Diaoyutai, Beijing.

"But I'm sure (after not serving as foreign minister), there are still activities, not far from there, but yes, we enjoy retiring. I've been working for almost 40 years. It's time to enjoy life," added Retno.

One thing he will definitely do is enjoy time with his family.

"After retiring, my grandson, ha ha ha. Mymong, beautiful grandson," said Retno with a laugh.

Retno is known to already have four grandchildren. His last grandson, Mangkubumi Rajasatya Marsudi, was only born on July 12, 2024.

Retno L. P. Marsudi is the first female diplomat to serve as Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia. She was sworn in on October 27, 2014.

Woman born in Semarang, 27 November 1962. Retno is married to Agus Marsudi, an architect.

They have two sons, namely Dyota Marsudi and Bagas Marsudi, both of whom are married.

Retno Marsudi received a bachelor's degree from Gadjah Mada University International Relations Sciences, Yogyakarta, in 1985. He also studied at Haagse Hogeschool, The Hague, the Netherlands, and at Oslo University, Norway.

Since joining the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1986 he has served in various posts including placements at the Indonesian Embassy in Canberra, Australia (1990-1994); placements at the Indonesian Embassy in The Hague, the Netherlands (1997-2001), and Director of Intra and Inter-Coordination Cooperation for America and Europe (2001-2003).

Furthermore, the Director of Western Europe (2003-2005); Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to the Kingdom of Norway and the Republic of Iceland (2005-2008); Director General of America and Europe (2008-2012); Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to the Kingdom of the Netherlands (2012-2014) to become Minister of Foreign Affairs in October 2014 to date.

During his career as a diplomat, Retno also received various awards both from within and outside the country.

Domestic awards include "People of the Year Award" from Metro TV (18 November 2020), "KORPRI Lifetime Achievement Award" (28 November 2020), "Public Leader Awards" from One Media Holdings News (23 February 1 2021), Brevet Honorary Hydro-Oceanography from the Chief of Naval Staff (19 October 2021), "The Most Popular Leader in Social Media 2021" from PR Indonesia (10 December 2021).

The international awards include "The Order of Merit" from the Government of Norway (December 2011), "The Ridder Grootkruis in the de Order van Oranje-Nassau" from the Dutch Government (January 12, 2015), the Agen Change' award from the United Nations for the Equality of Gender and Women's Empowerment (UN Women) on September 21, 2017; "El Sol del Peru" or "Sun Peru" (May 24, 2018) and "Malai Medal of Honor" from President Ashraf Ghani of Afghanistan (1 March 2020).