January 14, 2026 | 09:25 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Foreign Affairs Minister Sugiono detailed several key achievements in Indonesia's economic diplomacy during the 2026 Foreign Affairs Minister's Annual Press Statement (PPTM) held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Central Jakarta on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. The presentation highlighted the expansion of cross-border digital payment systems and diplomatic support for the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program, a cornerstone of the current government’s priority agenda.
Minister Sugiono framed economic diplomacy as a necessary response to a shifting global landscape where the boundaries between economic interests and national security are increasingly porous. He observed that trade, investment, and technology policies are now frequently wielded as geopolitical instruments.
"One of the most prominent characteristics of the world today is the increasing blurring of the boundaries between economy and security," Sugiono remarked.
He emphasized that national strength is no longer measured solely by growth figures, but by a country’s ability to remain resilient and adaptable within the international community, a reality he said Indonesia must embrace.
Expansion of QRIS and Financial Inclusion
Sugiono underscored the necessity of economic self-reliance to mitigate systemic vulnerabilities. A central pillar of this strategy is the strengthening of financial inclusion through innovative mechanisms, most notably the Quick Response Code Indonesian Standard (QRIS).
"Economic self-reliance is crucial to reduce systemic vulnerability, and Indonesia contributes to strengthening financial inclusion through innovative mechanisms such as QRIS," he stated. Through diplomatic efforts, QRIS now facilitates cross-border transactions in several countries, including Thailand, Malaysia, China, and Japan. The Minister reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to further expanding this digital financial footprint.
Trade Agreements and New Partners
Over the course of 2025, Indonesia successfully secured three economic cooperation agreements with Canada, Peru, and the Eurasian Economic Union. Looking ahead, the government aims to finalize several high-stakes negotiations, including the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the European Union and a Preferential Trade Agreement with Mauritius.
"We will also ensure the upgrade of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement 3.0 and the Indonesia-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement, while actively encouraging trade cooperation with new partners in the African region, such as Rwanda," Sugiono said.
Diplomatic Support for the MBG Program
Not only that, Sugiono mentioned that Indonesia's diplomacy is also aimed at supporting national development, particularly in food and energy security. Within this framework, diplomacy is also supporting the implementation of the free nutritious meal program.
"To support the implementation of the free nutritious meal program, Indonesia has forged cooperation with the School Meals Coalition, relevant international organizations, and partner countries," he said. He added that the program is not just a social policy. "The free nutritious meal program is a political realization that human development is the cornerstone of Indonesia's national strength," Sugiono expressed.
Read: How Indonesia Plans to Shape Its Diplomacy in 2026
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