Jakarta, 16 March 2026: Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has appointed Mr Ravi Kewalram to the Governing Board of ERIA, following the conclusion of Mr Christopher Langman’s tenure in 2025. The appointment was made by DFAT Deputy Secretary for Trade and Investment Mr George Mina.

Mr Kewalram currently serves as First Assistant Secretary in DFAT’s Free Trade Agreements and Stakeholder Engagement Division. He brings extensive experience in international trade policy and economic diplomacy that will contribute to advancing ERIA’s research and policy dialogue across the region.

As Australia’s Senior Economic Official for the East Asia Summit, Mr Kewalram has more than 30 years of public service experience, particularly in the areas of international trade negotiations, multilateral trade policy, and trade law. His career has included senior roles shaping Australia’s trade policy framework, including work on multilateral trade policy development, dispute resolution mechanisms, and regional economic engagement initiatives.

The ERIA Governing Board serves as the institute’s principal decision-making body and comprises representatives from the 16 participating countries of the East Asia Summit, together with the Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Mr Kewalram’s appointment is expected to further strengthen collaboration in research and policy dialogue supporting regional economic integration, sustainable development, and deeper economic co-operation across the region.

Photo Credit: Ditjen PPI