Indonesia is racing against the clock to position itself for membership within the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), targeting completion of requirements by June 2025. This move not only signals the country's ambition to align with international economic standards but also reflects the significant governmental effort being made to meet these rigorous criteria.
Coordinative Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto recently highlighted the progress during a press briefing, stating, "Jadi tadi kita sudah sampaikan beberapa (sektor) sudah inline dengan standar OECD, beberapa sudah berada dalam track yang benar, dan ada juga yang masih belum jadi itu yang tadi direview," showcasing the strides made across various sectors.
The Indonesian government is focusing on adjusting regulations across 26 sectors to fully comply with OECD protocols. Hartarto pointed out, “Mayoritas telah selesai dilaksanakan, mulai dari sektor perpajakan, birokrasi, sistem keuangan, penindakan korupsi, maupun lingkungan.” This reflects readiness and alignment with international expectations, especially concerning taxation and financial practices.
At the center of this initiative is the impending submission of the initial memorandum, scheduled for completion by the end of March 2025. The memorandum serves as Indonesia's formal application to begin the process of joining the OECD and will be presented during the OECD Ministerial Meeting slated for early June. Secretary of the Coordinative Ministry for Economic Affairs Susiwijono Moegiarso expressed confidence about this timeline, stating, "Kita akan selesaikan di akhir Maret. Akhir Maret nanti berarti kan semua initial memorandum sudah selesai. Kita kompilasi, kita bahas lagi, kita matangkan. Nanti awal Juni sudah kita serahkan ke mereka."
The timeline also involves rigorous evaluations post-submission. The OECD is expected to review the submitted documents for approximately six months, with evaluation teams expected to visit Indonesia by early 2026 to assess compliance and readiness for membership.
This transformative effort is not without its challenges, especially considering Indonesia's concurrent membership with BRICS. Arif Havas Oegroseno, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, assured stakeholders, "Targetnya 3 tahun ya, seperti yang disampaikan Pak Menko," confidently addressing concerns around potential conflicts between the two memberships.
Oegroseno also emphasized the seamlessness of the process, dismissing concerns over membership conflicts: “Kalau ada yang bilang ada BRICS bermasalah, India itu menlunya duduk di depan, di row paling pertama inaugurasi Trump (Presiden AS) kan. So... Enggak ada masalah.” This remark highlights Indonesia's strategy of maintaining multiple international relationships without compromise, setting the stage for enhanced economic partnership opportunities.
Overall, the Indonesian government's proactive engagement across multiple sectors enhances the meaningful pursuit of OECD membership. The commitment to aligning with international standards and improving regulatory frameworks can serve as inspire future economic growth and development.
Indonesia’s efforts to join the OECD not only signal its commitment to global economic practices but also signify its ambition to become more integrated within the global economy. The successful submission of its initial memorandum will mark yet another important chapter as Indonesia edges closer to fulfilling its OECD aspirations.