Airlangga: Indonesia Committed to Expanding Global Economic Cooperation
The Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, stated that increasingly complex global geopolitical dynamics are exerting new pressures on the international economic system, affecting everything from supply chain resilience to trade and investment stability. Airlangga emphasised Indonesia’s commitment to expanding international economic cooperation through several trade agreements.
During the Ministerial Keynote and Conversation session at the Brussels Economic Security Forum (BESF) 2026 in Brussels, Belgium, Airlangga noted that changes in the global economic architecture must be met with strengthened cooperation and diversification, rather than economic decoupling between nations. “The international economic architecture is clearly undergoing changes. The more important question is how we can rebuild a framework capable of maintaining the benefits of openness while strengthening economic resilience,” Airlangga stated in an official statement on Saturday, 6 June 2026.
He noted that various geopolitical conflicts, including those in the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea, demonstrate how security disruptions can impact global supply chains, investment, and economic growth. Such conditions, according to Airlangga, have prompted several countries to implement policies to bolster economic security, such as industrial policies, investment screening, and export controls.
In the forum, which was attended by European Union officials, partner governments, business leaders, and international media, Airlangga outlined Indonesia’s strategy for strengthening national economic resilience. He also provided updates on Indonesia’s economic cooperation with the European Union, including the progress of the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU CEPA).
Airlangga stated that Indonesia remains capable of maintaining economic performance amidst global uncertainty. He noted that Indonesia’s economic growth in the first quarter of 2026 reached 5.61 per cent year-on-year, with inflation remaining controlled, strong foreign exchange reserves, and a trade surplus that has persisted for over 70 consecutive months.
The government, he added, continues to drive economic transformation through industrial downstreaming programmes, manufacturing sector development, digital transformation, and the green economy. Indonesia is also striving to strengthen its position in global supply chains, particularly in the electric vehicle, battery, critical minerals, and renewable energy sectors.
Airlangga noted that Indonesia has attracted investment from various regions for the development of the electric vehicle industry, ranging from battery production to vehicle assembly. He believes these developments can support the diversification of the global clean energy supply chain.
Furthermore, the government continues to develop the digital economy and strengthen energy security through the use of renewable energy and the implementation of the B50 biodiesel programme. This policy is expected to reduce fuel imports by up to 4 million kilolitres per year.
On the same occasion, Airlangga reaffirmed Indonesia’s commitment to expanding international economic cooperation through several trade agreements, including the IEU CEPA, the Indonesia-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), the Indonesia-Eurasian Economic Union Free Trade Agreement (I-EAEU FTA), as well as the accession processes to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Airlangga also highlighted Indonesia’s position as a member of ASEAN, the G20, and BRICS, which he believes allows the nation to act as a bridge between developed and developing countries in facing global economic challenges.