Economic diplomacy forms important pillar of Indonesia’s foreign policy in 2025

Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono has positioned economic diplomacy at the forefront of the nation's international engagement strategy.

Sugiono at his first-ever annual address as foreign minister. (Photo: VNA)
Sugiono at his first-ever annual address as foreign minister. (Photo: VNA)

Jakarta (VNA) - Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono has positioned economic diplomacy at the forefront of the nation's international engagement strategy.

At his first-ever annual address as foreign minister, Sugiono said that the world is facing multiple interconnected crises, with no region remaining untouched by conflicts and tensions, from the Middle East to Europe, Africa to the Americas and the Caribbean.

Asia is experiencing escalating geopolitical competition and regional strains, he pointed out, highlighting several pressing global challenges like the climate crisis and concerns regarding food, energy and water security that could exacerbate the vulnerability across the globe, threaten people’s lives, and affect global peace and order.

He expressed particular concern about the potential impact of rapidly evolving technologies, specifically AI, which he described as a double-edged sword offering both conveniences and potential threats to global stability.

Sugiono emphasised the erosion of global solidarity and cooperation, pointing to a growing disregard for international law and the UN Charter, coupled with an outdated global economic architecture that fails to address contemporary challenges and the needs of most nations.

Against the backdrop, Indonesia’s economic diplomacy will focus on concretising President Prabowo Subianto’s key objectives, including strengthening national sovereignty, enhancing food and energy resilience, accelerating green energy transition, and bolstering the digital and creative economy.

He stressed that sustainable economic development and growth represent a fundamental pillar of Indonesia's diplomacy, and the country will intensify its economic diplomatic efforts, advocating a more inclusive and equitable global economic architecture through a creative diplomatic strategy.

Looking ahead to Indonesia's Vision 2045, Sugiono underscored the need for a robust diplomatic stance befitting Indonesia's status as a major power./.

VNA

See more

Malaysian Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Zafrul Abdul Aziz (Photo: malaymail.com)

Malaysia to convene special ASEAN meeting on US tariffs

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders will also meet to discuss the member states’ solutions to address and mitigate potential disruptions to regional trade, supply chain networks, and cross-border investments, the MITI said.

Head of the House of Representatives' (DPR's) Budget Committee (Banggar) Said Abdullah. (Photo: ANTARA)

WTO urged to take move against US import tariffs

Abdullah asserted that economic policies should support universal economic interests rather than serve as tools for superpowers to gain unilateral advantages - a practice he believes could lead to global economic depression.

Thai exporters have long-term opportunities to ship a massive amount of locally-harvested organic rice to overseas markets. (Photo: thaipbs.or.th)

Thailand sees long-term opportunities for organic rice exports

The official indicated that the exports of locally-harvested organic rice generally grew by 32% in 2024, but particularly expanding as high as 72.1% for its fragrant strain, or Hom Mali, followed by 23.1%, 3.3% and 1.5% for its brown, white and broken grains respectively.

Search and rescue operations are still ongoing at the construction site of the SAO building in Chatuchak District, Thailand (Photo: nationthailand.com)

Bangkok declares end of disaster situation

All areas in the city are no longer disaster zones, except for the area around the construction site of the new State Audit Office (SAO) building on Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road, Chatuchak district, the statement said.

Thai Prime Minister Paethongtarn Shinawatra (right) and Dasho Tshering Tobgay, the PM of Bhutan, at the signing ceremony for the Thailand-Bhutan FTA. (Photo: Bangkokpost)

Thailand, Bhutan formally endorse trade agreement

In 2024, trade between Thailand and Bhutan reached over 460 million THB (13.3 million USD), with Thailand exporting goods worth 457 million THB to Bhutan and importing goods worth 3.47 million THB from this market..

Since January, all containers must be checked for BY2 and cadmium contamination by certified laboratories in Thailand, plus face complete inspection upon arrival at Chinese borders. (Photo: bangkokpost)

Thailand proposes China facilitate durian export

Chinese authorities will also increase the number of inspection laboratories from three to five, adding more officials to streamline the process at this checkpoint, Napintorn said.

US President Donald Trump signs reciprocal tariff executive orders at the White House on April 2, 2025 (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Thailand to negotiate with US on tariffs

Thailand is on the list of 15 countries that could be affected by Trump’s tariff policy. The average US tariff on Thai imports is 2% while Thailand levies an average tariff of 8% on US products

More than two-thirds of the respondents in the AmCham survey flag potential reciprocal tariffs on countries taxing US imports as the biggest concern for their business. (Photo: The Straits Times)

New US tariffs may hurt Singapore companies: survey

A flash survey by the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Singapore showed that more than two-thirds of the 36 respondents polled flagged potential reciprocal tariffs on countries that tax US imports as the biggest concern for their business – compared to existing trade measures.

US President Donald Trump announces new reciprocal tariffs at the White House on April 2. (Photo: Reuters/VNA)

US tariffs putting pressure on both US and ASEAN

The most immediate impact of Trump’s tariffs will be inflation, both in the US and worldwide. As import costs rise, businesses will pass these costs onto consumers, driving up prices, said Professor Phar Kim Beng of ASEAN Studies at the International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM).

Two foreign tourists buy curry puffs at the popular Khun Phu shop in the Talat Noi community in Bangkok on Monday. (Photo: bangkokpost.com)

Thailand revises tourism strategy after earthquake

Minister of Tourism and Sports Sorawong Thienthong said that a tourism risk and crisis management team will be established to support the industry, with representatives from organisations in the tourism supply chain, such as the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Roads Authority.

General Khamtay Siphandone, former President of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee, former President of Laos and senior revolutionary of the LPRP. (Source: VNA)

Former Lao President Khamtay Siphanone passes away

General Khamtay Siphandone, former President of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee, former President of Laos and senior revolutionary of the LPRP, passed away at 10:30am on April 2 at the age of 102.