Indo-Pacific Energy Cooperation Deemed Critical Amid Global Uncertainty

JAKARTA — Indonesia’s energy diplomacy in the Indo-Pacific region is increasingly being viewed as critical amid uncertainties in global energy supply. A call for strengthened collaboration among nations was issued by the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia during the Indo-Pacific Energy Security Ministerial and Business (IPEM) forum in Tokyo, Japan, on Sunday, 15 March 2026.

Abdul Rahman, Secretary for Economic Policy of the Golkar Party’s central board, assessed this step as part of Indonesia’s strategy to strengthen its position within the region’s energy ecosystem.

“We fully support Minister Bahlil’s initiative. This cooperation and synergy will be very important in strengthening each nation’s position in achieving energy independence,” Abdul Rahman said in a statement on Monday, 16 March 2026.

Rahman stated that energy sector collaboration encompassing supply chains from upstream to downstream production can help optimise the utilisation of energy resources across the Indo-Pacific region.

According to Rahman, Indonesia possesses significant assets to play a larger role in the region’s energy ecosystem, ranging from abundant natural resources, industrial capacity, to opportunities for developing new and renewable energy.

He assessed that strengthened cross-border cooperation also has the potential to strengthen the national energy supply chain whilst opening opportunities for investment and technology transfer.

“The step taken by Minister Bahlil is not merely about energy cooperation alone, but also about strengthening Indonesia’s strategic position in the regional energy landscape. If this collaboration continues to be reinforced, Indonesia can become one of the energy powerhouses in the Indo-Pacific,” Rahman said.