The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemenlu) will establish a new directorate general called the Directorate General of Economic Relations and Development Cooperation. This was announced by Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi during a working meeting with Commission I of the Indonesian Parliament (DPR RI) at the Parliamentary Complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Monday (Dec 2, 2024). Minister Retno explained that the creation of this new directorate general aims to strengthen Kemenlu's institutional framework, particularly in managing economic relations with neighboring countries. She stated that this move is intended to improve coordination and synchronization in foreign economic relations, following evaluations of existing mechanisms involving Kemenlu.
Minister Retno further emphasized that with the establishment of the new directorate general, Kemenlu will have a better understanding of the processes in international economic relations from the start, fostering collective awareness in addressing various needs and assistance required in international cooperation. During the meeting, the Minister also presented the ministry's 100-day work program, which focuses on responding to the increasingly uncertain global dynamics. This meeting marked the first opportunity for Kemenlu to outline its strategic plans and the challenges the ministry faces in executing economic diplomacy and development cooperation.
