The ANU Drysdale Public Forum features a presentation on ‘Why ASEAN Centrality Matters’ by Sidharto Suryodipuro, Director General for ASEAN Cooperation in the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the principal coordinator of Indonesia’s role as Chair of ASEAN in 2023.

Since its establishment in 1967, ASEAN has showcased remarkable resilience in navigating power struggles among major global players. As the region finds itself at the centre of geopolitical tensions, understanding ASEAN’s leadership and centrality is pivotal in shaping the trajectory of the region and its position in the international order, as well as how best Australia might shape its own foreign policy in the region. This forum offers a platform to explore and discuss the importance of ASEAN’s centrality and its implications for foreign policy directions.

Sidharto R. Suryodipuro is currently the Director General of ASEAN Cooperation in the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Previously, he served as the Indonesian Ambassador to India from 2017 to 2020. Prior to that, he was the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Indonesian Embassy in Washington DC from 2014 to 2017. Suryodipuro’s extensive experience also includes his role as the Director for Intra-Regional Cooperation in Asia Pacific and Africa at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 2010 to 2014.

This event is hosted by the East Asian Bureau of Economic Research (EABER). EABER is an organisation based out of the Australian National University for high-quality economic research focussing on issues facing the economies of East Asia.