On Friday, August 29, 2025, the Center for Multilateral Policy Strategy (PSKM), Foreign Policy Strategy Agency (BSKLN) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, held an online Expert Group Meeting entitled “Indonesia’s Position on the Reform of the UN Security Council and the World Trade Organization.” The meeting aimed to gather policy input and deepen analysis of Indonesia’s position on the reform of the UN Security Council and the dynamics of the World Trade Organization (WTO) reform, which is now a strategic issue for the multilateral trading system.
The event was opened by Mr. Tri Aryadi, Acting Head of PSKM BSKLN, followed by presentations from three keynote speakers who shared in-depth views on Indonesia’s position in the direction of WTO reform; Mr. Dr. Ditya Agung Nurdianto (Director of Trade, Industry, Commodities, and Intellectual Property, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia) conveyed the importance for Indonesia to maintain the principle of Special and Differential Treatment (S&DT) and maintain the existence of a two – tier dispute settlement system within the WTO framework. Then, Ms. Prof. Dr. Poppy S. Winanti (Professor of International Relations, Gadjah Mada University) highlighted ASEAN’s central role in encouraging WTO reform that is inclusive, sustainable, and adheres to rules-based principles. Meanwhile, Mr. Dr. Imaduddin Abdullah (Director of International Collaboration, INDEF) underlined the threat of global trade fragmentation triggered by protectionist policies, while emphasizing the strategic potential for Indonesia to optimize its position in the critical mineral trade amidst the global economic transition.
Mr. Caka A. Awal (Director of International Security and Disarmament), Mr. Muhammad Haripin, Ph.D. (Executive Director of the BRIN Center for International Studies), and Ms. Prof. Evi Fitriani, MA., Ph.D. (Professor of International Relations at the University of Indonesia) also provided critical input on the ideas presented, especially regarding the urgency of reforming the WTO dispute settlement system, protecting the principle of Special and Differential Treatment (S&DT), and the importance of maintaining policy space for developing countries in the era of green transition and trade digitalization.
In this forum, PACIS researchers were present and actively contributed to the discussion, particularly regarding Indonesia’s opportunities to strengthen its position amidst geopolitical dynamics and global trade fragmentation.
This meeting is expected to strengthen Indonesia’s position in facing the WTO reform agenda leading up to the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference in 2026, and ensure that the interests of Indonesia and developing countries remain accommodated in the multilateral trading system.
