ASIATODAY.ID, PARIS – The Government of Indonesia has reaffirmed its strong commitment to joining the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) by officially submitting its Initial Memorandum (IM) to OECD Secretary-General Matthias Cormann.
The submission was made by Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, who is leading the Indonesian delegation at the 2025 OECD Ministerial Council Meeting (MCM) in Paris, France, held from June 2–5, 2025.
This milestone marks a significant step in Indonesia’s accession journey to become a full member of the OECD, a global organization known for setting international standards in public policy, governance, and sustainable development.
The Initial Memorandum serves as a self-assessment document that outlines the alignment of Indonesia’s laws, regulations, and practices with OECD norms and standards. Indonesia’s IM consists of 32 chapters, covering 240 OECD legal instruments, reflecting the country’s readiness to harmonize with international best practices.
The IM was compiled through a collaborative effort involving 64 ministries and government agencies, organized into 26 sectoral fields and 8 cross-sectoral areas, as stipulated in Presidential Decree No. 17 of 2024 and Coordinating Ministerial Decree No. 232 of 2024.
“Completing the IM in just one year is a remarkable achievement—made possible through the collective effort of all involved institutions. However, this is only the beginning. The next stage, involving in-depth reviews by OECD committees, will be longer and more challenging,” said Minister Airlangga.
In addition to submitting the IM, Minister Airlangga is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with key partner countries such as the United States, Australia, the Netherlands, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, as well as with international organizations including the ASEAN Secretariat. These engagements aim to build strong support for Indonesia’s OECD accession process.
Minister Airlangga is also slated to attend the Informal WTO Ministerial Gathering, where he will discuss current global trade developments and reform agendas. He will also meet with Indonesian diaspora professionals working at the OECD Secretariat in Paris to recognize their valuable contributions.
Strategic Benefits of OECD Accession for Indonesia
Joining the OECD is considered a strategic move for Indonesia, offering benefits such as enhanced policy credibility, improved governance transparency, and expanded opportunities for international economic cooperation. Active involvement in the OECD also strengthens Indonesia’s position in global trade negotiations, including those related to the CPTPP, the Indonesia-EU CEPA, and tariff discussions with the United States.
“Following the directives of the President, the Indonesian Government remains fully committed to this accession process. It forms an integral part of our broader economic reform strategy and efforts to boost national competitiveness,” Airlangga emphasized.
Minister Airlangga is accompanied by Deputy for Economic Cooperation and Investment, Edi Priyo Pambudi; Expert Staff for Regional Development, Haryo Limanseto; and Assistant Deputy for Multilateral Economic Cooperation, Ferry Ardiyanto. (AT Network)
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