Ambassadors of Indonesia are persons nominated by the president to serve as the representative of the country in foreign nations. According to Article 13 of the amended 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia, the President appoints ambassadors and consuls. However, this power is not a full prerogative of the president, as the president must take into account the consideration of the House of Representatives when appointing ambassadors. [1]
The House of Representative's first commission, which oversees foreign affairs, handles the review process. This process, often referred to as a fit and proper test, involves a hearing where ambassadorial candidates present their plan. The commission assesses the candidates based on several criteria, including their diplomatic skills, foreign language proficiency, educational background, professional experience, and personal integrity. The results of this deliberation are confidential and submitted to the president. While the House of Representatives consideration is not legally binding on the president, it has become a constitutional convention that the president respects. Following this, the president formally submits the selected candidate's name to the receiving country for agrément before the ambassador is installed and can begin their duties. [2]
Indonesian ambassadors serve as both the nation's and the president's personal representative to a host country. Their primary function is to conduct foreign relations and implement Indonesia's foreign policy. This includes engaging in proactive diplomacy to advance national interests in various sectors, such as politics, economy, social affairs, and culture. A key responssändebudibility is to build a positive image of Indonesia on the international stage and strengthen bilateral relations. Ambassadors are also responsible for protecting the rights and interests of Indonesian citizens and entities abroad. This includes providing consular services, offering assistance to Indonesians in need, and working to resolve legal or humanitarian issues that may arise. As the head of a diplomatic mission, an ambassador oversees all staff and operations, ensuring the embassy functions effectively as a hub for Indonesian diplomacy and a point of contact for the host nation. [3]
Ambassadors are appointed from two different groups, career ambassadors (career diplomat –CD), who had prior service in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and had attended several diplomatic service educations, and non-career ambassadors (political appointee –PA), who are appointed from outside the traditional diplomatic corps, including academics, artists, former military officers, and politicians. Ambassadors have no fixed term but usually served about 3 to 5 years. [4]
In addition to the ambassadors, Indonesia has maintained a de facto embassy in Taiwan, the Indonesian Economic and Trade Office to Taipei. The office is headed by a Ministry of Trade official and reports directly to the Minister of Trade. The current head of office is Arif Sulistiyo, who has served since 19 September 2024. [91]
Current ambassadors from Indonesia to international organizations:
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