Successful Diplomacy Can Connect Regional Potential with International Opportunities

Ambassador Santo giving a public lecture at Andalas University. (Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of RI)

JAKARTA - The Director General of Asia Pacific and Africa (Aspasaf) of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dr. Santo Darmosumarto explained how diplomacy works in fighting for national interests through the IORA (Indian Ocean Rim Association) forum so that it can produce concrete impacts and contribute to people's daily lives.

This was conveyed by DUbes Santo in a public lecture entitled "Diplomacy that Works: Fighting for Indonesian National Interests in the Indian Ocean through IORA" at Andalas University, Padang, West Sumatra, Tuesday (11/8).

In front of 4,000 new students of Andaral University, Ambassador Santo explained that Indonesia's geographical location between the Indian and Pacific Oceans is very strategic and has great potential.

According to him, reliable diplomacy is needed to turn this into a real opportunity.

Through the IORA forum, Indonesian diplomacy is prioritized to fight for national interests related to the Indian Ocean, such as maintaining energy resilience, regional stability, and securing trade routes.

Furthermore, it was explained that the real results of diplomacy are often not physical in the form of buildings or bridges.

Ambassador Santo Darmosumarto. (Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of RI)

However, the success of diplomacy can be felt if instability can be prevented, the supply chain of goods remains smooth, and investment opportunities are wide open, which in the end all these facilities are enjoyed directly by the community.

That's what they call "diplomacy that works."

The Indonesian Ambassador also explained that the formulation of Indonesia's foreign policy always involves all stakeholders, both at the central and regional levels. One concrete example is the launch of the IORA Task Force by the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on August 10, 2026.

From the national scope, Dirjen Santo then drew the importance of IORA to the West Sumatra region. He emphasized that the Indian Ocean is an issue that is not far from West Sumatra, because this province is Indonesia's main gateway to the Indian Ocean region.

Various priority areas of IORA such as blue economy, fisheries management, marine tourism, to disaster mitigation have direct relevance to the natural potential and research excellence possessed by Andalas University.

"IORA is not something far from West Sumatra. IORA is very close to the lives of people in West Sumatra," said the Director General of Santo, accompanied by the Director of Intra and Inter-Regional Cooperation of Aspasaf Febrian Irawati Mamesah, launching the statement of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thursday (13/8).

He added that successful diplomacy is diplomacy that is able to connect regional potential with international opportunities.

This public lecture was warmly welcomed by the participants. The enthusiasm was evident from the lively discussion session when the students took turns asking various critical questions about the real role of IORA and the latest geopolitical developments in the region.

To motivate the new students, the Director General of Santo also raised the track record of national figures and diplomats from the Minang realm, such as Mohammad Hatta, Haji Agus Salim, and the great maritime diplomat, Prof. Dr. Hasjim Djalal.

Closing the presentation, the Director General of Santo hopes that one day there will be ministers, ambassadors, and international figures from Andalas University to bring Indonesia's voice to the global arena.