Indonesia accelerates procedures to join OECD

The IM is a key document in the accession process, containing an independent assessment of the alignment between national regulations, standards, and practices with OECD norms and standards.

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto (right) meets OECD Secretary-General Matthias Cormann (Photo: en.antaranews.com)
Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto (right) meets OECD Secretary-General Matthias Cormann (Photo: en.antaranews.com)

Jakarta (VNA) - The Indonesian Government has finalised the preparation of the Initial Memorandum (IM) for its accession to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which will be submitted to OECD Secretary-General Matthias Cormann in Paris, France.

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said that this achievement is proof of Indonesia's full commitment to accession, as it was able to complete the preparation of the IM within one year of submitting the Accession Roadmap to the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting in 2024.

The IM is a key document in the accession process, containing an independent assessment of the alignment between national regulations, standards, and practices with OECD norms and standards.

Based on the Accession Roadmap received, Indonesia's IM comprises 32 chapters covering 240 OECD legal instruments. Preparation of the IM involved 64 ministries and institutions, grouped into 26 sectors and eight cross-sectoral areas.

During his visit to Paris on June 2-5, Hartarto is expected to attend a series of ministerial meetings of the OECD Council. In addition to participating in OECD ministerial meetings and holding talks with the OECD Secretary-General, he is scheduled for bilateral discussions with representatives of partner countries and international organisations, including the US, Australia, the Netherlands, Japan, New Zealand and Singapore, as well as the ASEAN Secretary-General.

Through these meetings, Hartarto aims to secure support for the next stage of Indonesia's accession process./.

VNA

See more

Displaced people walk after receiving food at a temporary shelter amid clashes between Thailand and Cambodia along a disputed border area, in Buriram province, Thailand, December 16, 2025. (Photo: Reuters)

ASEAN seeks solutions to Cambodia–Thailand border tensions

ASEAN Chair Malaysia underscored the importance of maintaining regional peace and stability, while calling on Cambodia and Thailand to fully implement agreements already signed in order to resolve the prolonged tensions along their shared border.

A strong magnitude 5.6 earthquake occurred in the Maluku Sea near Pulau Mayu island, Indonesia, December 21, 2025, 9.21 pm local time (Photo: volcanodiscovery.com)

Indonesia records series of earthquakes in northern regions

At 9:21 on December 21 (local time), a 5.6-magnitude earthquake struck the Ternate area in Indonesia's North Maluku province. The epicentre was located offshore, about 132 km northwest of Jailolo, at a depth of 30 km. The quake was caused by rock deformation along the Maluku Sea tectonic plate, with a reverse faulting mechanism.

Malaysia busts massive drug syndicate

Malaysia busts massive drug syndicate

An international drug syndicate was busted after Malaysian police seized over 18 tonnes of drugs worth nearly 375 million USD in one of the country’s biggest drug busts on record.

Indonesia will not import rice for either consumption or industrial use next year. (Photo: tempo.co)

Indonesia to stop rice imports next year

Indonesia's rice production in 2025 is projected to reach 34.77 million tonnes, up 13.54% year on year, driven by favourable weather and farmer support policies under President Prabowo Subianto’s administration.

Distinctive festivals across Indonesia attract international visitors. (Photo published by VNA)

Indonesia identifies 15 priority tourism markets for 2025–2026

According to data compiled by the Ministry of Tourism, the number of tourists from Malaysia reached 2.18 million in the January-October 2025 period, showing a growth of 15.91% compared to last year. Meanwhile, the number of visitors from Singapore totaled 1.19 million this year, growing by 7.66% from 2024.

The 8th Cooperative Plan Meeting between the Ministry of Commerce of Thailand and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Lao PDR, December 17, Bangkok, Thailand (Photo: nationalthailan.com)

Thailand, Laos aim to boost bilateral trade

Laos is Thailand’s 7th largest trading partner in ASEAN and 18th globally. From January to October 2025, two-way trade grew by 18.65% to 8.18 billion USD, with Thai exports increasing by 16.90% to 4.81 billion USD and imports rising by 21.23% to 3.60 billion USD.

File photo of Visa and Mastercard credit cards. (Photo: AP)

Unpaid credit card balances in Singapore hit record high in 10 years

Experts attributed the worrying trend to factors like people not spending within their means, consumer culture emphasising prestige items, and easier access to credit like “buy now, pay later” services. Analysts said this can be a hint of growing financial pressures faced by Singaporeans amid rising prices.