Jakarta, 15 January 2025: The ERIA School of Government held its first High-Level Executive Roundtable in Jakarta, Indonesia, on 15 January 2025. Dr Akira Amari, former Secretary General of Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party and former Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry, served as the lead speaker.

The roundtable featured distinguished participants, including:

• H.E. Werapong Prapha, Trade Representative of Thailand
• Prof. Veerayooth Kanchoochat, Deputy Leader of the People’s Party of Thailand
• Dr Fauzan Adhiman, Director General of Research and Development, Indonesian Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology
• Dr Chatib Basri, former Indonesian Finance Minister (co-chair of the first session)
• H.E. Ossy Dermawan, Deputy Minister, Indonesia’s National Land Agency
• Dr Hassan Wirajuda, former Indonesian Foreign Minister and Rector of Universitas Prasetiya Mulia
• Ambassadors from ASEAN, Japan, and the UK

Key Discussions

Dr Amari shared insights on Japan’s trade negotiations with the US, economic security, and industrial policy. He emphasised the strategic importance of ASEAN overcoming internal differences and fostering cooperation rather than competition. He urged ASEAN countries to leverage collective market power to counter political and economic coercion by larger economies, advocating for long-term structural leverage over short-term economic gains.

H.E. Prapha led the next discussion, focusing on trade and industrial policies as tools to strengthen ASEAN’s regional influence amid growing protectionism and economic fragmentation. He stressed the need for strategic collaboration amongst ASEAN Member States to navigate these challenges effectively.

Prof. Kanchoochat provided an analysis of the shifting financial and trade landscape, drawing comparisons between the challenges faced during the first Donald Trump administration and those emerging in his second term. He highlighted the urgent need for policy innovation to address these shifts.

Dr Adhiman concluded the discussions with a focus on Indonesia’s development of science-based public policy. He underscored Indonesia’s commitment to fostering innovation and technology by integrating academia and business, with a particular emphasis on R&D-driven industries as a pathway to achieving the country’s development goals.

Future Initiatives

Building on the success of this roundtable, the ERIA School of Government aims to host more high-level discussions and community-building initiatives, fostering collaboration and advancing shared policy goals across the region.