Center for Southeast Asian Social Studies at Universitas Gadjah Mada (CESASS UGM) reports significant progress on its ongoing research titled Bridging Ambitions and Realities: Indonesia’s Pacific Elevation, Ocean-Based Climate Diplomacy, and Regional Leadership. The research is led by Drs. Muhadi Sugiono, M.A., Head of the Research, Education, and Cooperation Division at CESASS UGM, with Nurina Aulia Haris, M.A., Research Manager at CESASS UGM, serving as a core member of the research team.
To date, the research has completed its secondary data collection from a wide range of authoritative sources, including official government documents related to Indonesia’s climate diplomacy, scientific journal articles, previous research reports, as well as official speeches and policy statements from national policymakers concerning climate change and South–South Cooperation (SSC).
Interviews with key informants have begun, involving officials and staff from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant technical ministries.
As part of its collaborative efforts, the team held a Focus Group Discussion with Pusat SKK Aspasaf Kementerian Luar Negeri on 17 July 2025, led by Drs. Muhadi Sugiono, M.A. as principal investigator alongside Vahd Nabyl Achmad Mulachela, Head of Pusat SKK Aspasaf Kemlu. Further scholarly exchange took place on 11 September 2025 through a research discussion with Associate Professor Morgan Brigg, Deputy Head of School, School of Political Science and International Studies at The University of Queensland, Australia.
This research is expected to contribute to a strengthened understanding of Indonesia’s evolving regional role in the Pacific, particularly in ocean-based climate diplomacy, maritime leadership, and South–South cooperation.
Reporter: Nurina Aulia Haris & Mellyana Nungki Pramitha