FM Sugiono outlines key tasks for new ambassadors

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Foreign Minister Sugiono outlined the key assignments awaiting six newly appointed Indonesian ambassadors and two permanent representatives to partner countries and international organizations, including the United States and the United Nations offices in Geneva and New York.

The six ambassadors and two permanent representatives officially assumed their posts after being inaugurated by President Prabowo Subianto at the State Palace in Jakarta on Monday (August 25).

“For countries such as the United States, where the post has been vacant for quite some time, I believe the immediate priority is to reestablish communication with the U.S. government,” Sugiono told reporters in Jakarta on Monday.

He noted that he was not overly concerned about the internal operations of the Indonesian Embassy in Washington D.C., as duties had been carried out by the chargé d’affaires ad interim, who also serves as deputy ambassador.

“Although the post has been vacant for a considerable period, the chargé d’affaires and the deputy ambassador have been working and have taken part in several talks and negotiations,” Sugiono explained.

Regarding the two permanent representatives, Umar Hadi as Indonesia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, other international organizations in New York, and the International Seabed Authority (ISA), as well as Sidharto Reza Suryodipuro as Indonesia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, the World Trade Organization (WTO), and other international organizations in Geneva, Sugiono underlined the upcoming 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in September 2025 as their most urgent task.

“I think what is urgent now is preparing for the UNGA in September. That is the immediate work we must tackle and handle. Other tasks, I believe, are already covered in the oath taken by the ambassadors during their inauguration,” Sugiono said.

At the State Palace, President Prabowo inaugurated six ambassadors: Tofery Primada Soetikno as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Indonesia to Mexico, concurrently accredited to Belize, El Salvador, and Guatemala; Dwisuryo Indroyo Soesilo as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Indonesia to the United States; and Andhika Chrisnayudhanto as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Indonesia to Brazil.

The others were Abdul Kadir Jaelani as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Indonesia to Germany, Judha Nugraha as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Indonesia to the United Arab Emirates, and Imam As’ari as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Indonesia to Ecuador.