Jakarta, 5 August 2026: ERIA formalised a new chapter in its engagement with the Government of Indonesia by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Economic Council (NEC) of the Republic of Indonesia on 5 August 2026. The partnership establishes a framework for strategic collaboration to support Indonesia's long-term development priorities through evidence-based policy research and regional co-operation.

The MoU was signed by ERIA's Chief Operating Officer, Takayuki Yamanaka, and the NEC's Executive Secretary, Septian Hario Seto, in a ceremony attended by ERIA President Tetsuya Watanabe; Chair of the NEC, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan; and Vice Chair of the NEC and Special Envoy of the President for International Trade and Multilateral Co-operation, Prof. Mari Elka Pangestu.

The agreement establishes a framework for closer collaboration between ERIA and the NEC in supporting Indonesia's long-term economic development priorities. Under the MoU, both parties will work together on strategic issues including industrial policy, artificial intelligence, critical minerals, energy security, supply chain resilience, and deeper economic integration with ASEAN and East Asia.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Chairman Luhut identified two areas for immediate work. The first is government technology. Indonesia has been building an integrated ecosystem supported by artificial intelligence, and he was clear that its significance extends beyond the machinery of government: ‘This programme is very important for the people of Indonesia. Not only the government, but the whole country.’ Because this work is already underway, he saw no need for the research to begin from scratch.

The second area is food security, where domestic research is focused on improving crop yields and where he saw scope for Japanese expertise. In both cases, he underscored that the value of the agreement lies in its implementation and confirmed that Indonesian teams stand ready to proceed.

In his welcoming remarks, President Watanabe reaffirmed ERIA's commitment to supporting Indonesia's development agenda. 'As an international organisation headquartered here in Jakarta, ERIA has a special responsibility to support Indonesia, ' he said. 'We stand ready to mobilise our regional network and expertise to help translate bold ideas into evidence-based policy solutions and reinforce Indonesia's leadership in the region.'

Following the signing ceremony, President Watanabe and Vice Chair Prof. Mari Elka Pangestu participated in a talk show entitled 'Sound Economic Analysis for Indonesia and the Region in an Era of Global Disruption.' Against the backdrop of growing global economic uncertainty, the discussion examined the role of rigorous, evidence-based economic analysis in helping Indonesia and the wider region respond to evolving trade tensions, supply chain disruptions, and other emerging global challenges.

The MoU, which is valid for 3 years and may be renewed by mutual agreement, provides a foundation for sustained collaboration between ERIA and the NEC. Through this partnership, both institutions aim to support Indonesia's economic transformation while contributing to stronger regional co-operation and sustainable development across ASEAN and East Asia.