Big Eurasian Editorial Meeting

– Which issues of your country’s domestic and foreign agenda, which national civic initiatives and specific upcoming events, in your view, should attract the attention of foreign media in order to fully demonstrate your country’s role and contribution to the development of multilateral relations and the growth of mutual understanding between peoples?

– To comprehensively demonstrate Indonesia''s role and contribution to the development of multilateral relations and the growth of mutual understanding among nations, foreign media are encouraged to pay close attention to the following key domestic and foreign policy agendas, national civil initiatives, as well as specific upcoming events scheduled for 2026.

Key Domestic Agenda Issues

Indonesia’s domestic priorities that are particularly relevant for foreign media coverage include:

Inclusive Economic Development

The Government aims to achieve high-quality and sustainable economic growth, with a focus on improving sectoral and labor productivity, strengthening infrastructure, and reducing extreme poverty to zero percent by 2026. Challenges related to layoffs and household consumption amid a global economic slowdown have also emerged as major public concerns.

Human Capital Development and Digitalization

Efforts to enhance the quality of human resources and to leverage digital technologies for economic growth and evolving work patterns constitute a core agenda under the National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN).

Democratic and Legal Stability

Post-election political dynamics, the strengthening of civil society, and legal reforms—including the controversial implementation of the new Criminal Procedure Code—remain key areas of public attention. Academics and civil society organizations (CSOs) have called for stronger safeguards for democratic values and the rule of law.

Climate and Environmental Resilience

Environmental protection, disaster resilience, and climate change adaptation are integral to Indonesia’s sustainable development agenda, often pursued through close collaboration with civil society actors.

Key Foreign Policy Agenda Issues

Indonesia’s “free and active” foreign policy underscores a proactive role in addressing global and regional challenges:

UN Human Rights Council Presidency 2026

Indonesia will serve as President of the United Nations Human Rights Council for the first time, under the theme “A Presidency for All.” This milestone reflects Indonesia’s commitment to strengthening global consensus and enhancing the effectiveness of the UNHRC.

ASEAN Centrality and the Indo-Pacific

ASEAN remains the cornerstone of Indonesia’s foreign policy, with continued efforts to uphold ASEAN centrality and implement the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), including through platforms such as the ASEAN Indo-Pacific Forum (AIPF).

Multilateral Economic Diplomacy

Indonesia prioritizes economic diplomacy as a key foreign policy instrument, including advocacy for WTO reform and the strengthening of the multilateral trading system to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Support for Global Issues

Indonesia consistently voices its position on international issues, including advocacy for the Palestinian people and the strengthening of the role of developing countries through multilateral forums.

National Civil Initiatives Worth Highlighting

Indonesian civil society plays an active role in advancing a broad range of public concerns:

“Zero Poverty 2026” Movement

Initiatives and advocacy efforts by multiple stakeholders, including civil society groups, aimed at ensuring the national target of eliminating extreme poverty is achieved through structural interventions.

Democracy and Human Rights Oversight

Civil society organizations actively monitor and defend human rights, particularly in response to political developments and legal or regulatory changes, including declarations of a “legal emergency” as a form of constructive public criticism.

Climate Action Collaboration

Partnerships between the government—particularly the Ministry of Environment and Forestry—and civil society to strengthen climate action and promote green leadership initiatives.

Selected Upcoming Events

Foreign media may consider covering the following events to observe Indonesia’s dynamics firsthand:

PACIS 2026 (Pacific Asia Conference on Information Systems)

To be held in Jakarta under the theme “Leaping Forward into the Future with Artificial Intelligence,” highlighting Indonesia’s technological advancement and innovation ecosystem.

International Peace Conference (Potential)

Indonesia has expressed its readiness to host an international peace conference, underscoring its active role in promoting dialogue and peacebuilding among nations.

Indonesia Brand & Business Opportunity Show (IBOS EXPO 2026)

An event showcasing business and entrepreneurship opportunities in Indonesia, reflecting domestic economic momentum and investment potential.

MarkPlus Conference 2026 and Indonesia Digital Marketing Conference 2026

These conferences will serve as strategic platforms amid the rise of AI and digital transformation, offering valuable insights into market trends and business innovation in Indonesia.

– What stereotypes about your country are currently widespread in public opinion in other states? How can journalists and media from other countries help to debunk these stereotypes and promote a relevant, modern image of your country?

– Widespread Stereotypes about Indonesia

Public opinion in many countries continues to be shaped by several persistent misconceptions:

Indonesia is a poor and uneducated country.

While poverty remains a challenge, this generalization overlooks Indonesia’s strong economic growth, expanding middle class, and substantial government investment in education.

Indonesia is just Bali.

Many foreigners perceive Indonesia as a small country centered solely on Bali, rather than a vast archipelago of more than 17,000 islands across 34 provinces.

Indonesia is a strict Islamic country or a terrorist hotbed.

Indonesia has the world’s largest Muslim population, yet it is a constitutionally secular state with significant religious diversity, including Hinduism, Buddhism, and Christianity. Sharia law applies only in Aceh Province and does not represent the nation as a whole.

Indonesians live in jungles or treehouses.

This colonial-era stereotype ignores the fact that more than 50 percent of Indonesians live in modern urban areas with developed infrastructure and quality housing.

Indonesians cannot speak English.

While Bahasa Indonesia is the official language, English is a compulsory subject in schools, and many young Indonesians—particularly in urban and tourist areas—speak it fluently.

How Journalists and Media Can Help Debunk Stereotypes

Journalists and media organizations from other countries can promote a more accurate, contemporary, and nuanced image of Indonesia by adopting the following approaches:

Move beyond sensationalism.

Rather than focusing disproportionately on disasters or isolated conflicts, balanced reporting on daily life, economic achievements, and social issues within proper context offers a truer picture.

Provide diverse perspectives and locations.

Coverage should extend beyond Bali and Jakarta to include other regions such as Java, Sumatra, and Sulawesi, highlighting Indonesia’s cultural, ethnic, and geographic diversity.

Highlight ordinary people and progress.

Stories about the growing middle class, professionals in global industries, and students pursuing higher education can challenge outdated stereotypes.

Emphasize religious and cultural tolerance.

Reporting on the coexistence of six officially recognized religions helps counter the narrative of Indonesia as an intolerant or rigidly religious state.

Collaborate with local journalists and fact-checking initiatives.

Partnerships with Indonesian media institutions ensure accuracy, cultural sensitivity, and grounding in local realities.

Focus on human-centered stories over political drama.

Human-interest reporting on innovation, art, cuisine, and community life can provide deeper insights into Indonesia’s social fabric.

Promote media literacy.

High-quality, well-verified journalism encourages audiences to think critically and question entrenched national stereotypes.

– What is your attitude toward the idea of creating a single Eurasian information space? In what formats, in your opinion, can and should interaction between media from different countries be developed? Do you have experience of international cooperation with journalists and editorial offices from other states? How useful and important has this experience been?

– I strongly agree with the idea of establishing a unified news and information channel among journalists in the Eurasian region—especially as a response to the massive volume of coverage long promoted by Western media, which often reflects the interests of their respective countries and, admittedly, still carries elements of bias. To counter such dynamics, it is necessary for journalists across Eurasia to reach a shared understanding and to develop joint programs moving forward.

Personally, my experience of collaboration has been limited to working with Iran’s national news agency, IRNA, as well as discussions with colleagues at the Iranian Embassy in Jakarta.

– In your opinion, does an “ideal media outlet” exist in today’s world, and is it possible in principle? Could you name a publication or a specific journalist (from any era) who, in your view, has an impeccable reputation and authority?

– It is difficult to claim that there is an ideal form of journalism today, as most media outlets inevitably represent national interests—particularly those in the West.

However, I find it noteworthy to observe reporting by media organizations in the Eurasian region, as they have played a significant role in counterbalancing the massive campaigns conducted by Western media in advancing Western interests.

As a journalist based in Indonesia, I consider this development both interesting and important, especially if it leads to the establishment of a Eurasian media alliance that also includes Indonesia, which has already joined BRICS.