President Joko Widodo Appoints Minister Airlangga Hartarto to Lead Indonesias Preparation and Acceleration Process for OECD Membership

Jakarta, MALANG - President Joko Widodo has issued Presidential Decree Number 17 of 2024 concerning the National Team for the Preparation and Acceleration of Indonesia's Membership in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). In this decree, President Joko Widodo appointed Minister of Economic Affairs Coordination Airlangga Hartarto as the Chief Executive of the National Team for OECD.

Following the Indonesian Government's intention, the OECD Council decided to initiate accession discussions with Indonesia on February 20, 2024. Subsequently, the OECD has developed and discussed Indonesia's Accession Roadmap, which was approved by the OECD Council on March 29, 2024. This process has been relatively swift, spanning 7 months since Indonesia formally expressed its intention to become an OECD member in July 2023.

"The accession process for Indonesia is a significant event for OECD members and partners. As the first country in Southeast Asia invited to open accession discussions with the OECD and the largest economy in the region with the fastest growth globally, Indonesia is committed to deepening integration and paving a transformative path towards growth and resilience for all," stated Minister Airlangga during the Dinner Reception In Conjunction With Indonesia’s Accession to The OECD With OECD Heads of Mission in Jakarta on February 28, 2024.

The National Team for OECD has four tasks. First, to organize and coordinate Indonesia's preparation and acceleration for OECD membership. Second, to coordinate, negotiate, and garner support for Indonesia's preparation and acceleration towards OECD Convention and other relevant OECD international legal instruments. Third, to identify, categorize priority areas, and prepare recommendations for adjusting standards, policies, and legislative regulations as needed. Fourth, to formulate and implement a public communication and information dissemination strategy regarding Indonesia's preparation and acceleration for OECD membership. In executing the duties as the Chief Executive of the National Team for OECD, Minister Airlangga will be assisted by two Vice Chairs, the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The establishment of the National Team for OECD coincides with the upcoming OECD Ministerial Council Meeting in Paris, France, on May 2-3, 2024. During this meeting, attended by Minister Airlangga, the formal handover of the Accession Roadmap to Indonesia is scheduled. Following this stage, Indonesia will conduct a self-assessment of the alignment of national policies and standards with OECD policies and standards. The OECD membership accession process itself will be a part of the government's sustainable structural reform agenda towards becoming a high-income developed country by 2045, as outlined in the Golden Indonesia Vision 2045.

With reference to the broad policy and standards framework across various sectors held by the OECD, Indonesia's accession process is expected to support sustainable structural reforms in Indonesia and contribute to policy and regulatory enhancements based on superior references. Furthermore, standard and policy adjustments will also impact the enhancement of global trust levels, increase trade and investment, particularly in technology collaboration and innovation, open market access for domestic exports, and improve the quality of health, education, employment, and infrastructure.