Indonesia is currently in the process of obtaining themembership status in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), concurrently securing the potential to become the first country in ASEAN to join the organization of developed countries' economies.

Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Airlangga Hartarto, said that Indonesia is completing an initial cross-sector memorandum as part of the accession stage. This process aims to harmonize national regulations with international standards, including in the anti-corruption aspect.

"So it is time for Indonesia to become the first country in ASEAN to be an OECD member. Thailand is following behind us, therefore we must not be overtaken by Thailand," Airlangga spoke at the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention in Jakarta, on Monday, February 10, 2025.

Indonesia's OECD membership proposal has received support from the organization. Deputy Director of the Directorate for Financial and Enterprise Affairs, NicolasPinaud, has stated that Indonesia's accession was only a matter of time because cooperation between the two parties has been going on since 2007.

"We hope that Indonesia will be the first Southeast Asian country to join the OECD. Indonesia's accession to the OECD will benefit both parties," Pinaud said as quoted by CNBC.

He added that Indonesia's membership in the OECD will be an important step in achieving the Golden Indonesia Vision 2045, where Indonesia targets status as a developed country.

“As the largest economy in Southeast Asia and a key player in the G20, APEC, and ASEAN, Indonesia’s contribution to the OECD will be invaluable,” he cited.

Regulatory reform

As part of the accession process, Indonesia needs to adjust various regulations to meet OECD standards, especially in economic governance and eradicating corruption. The government hopes that this step will not only accelerate accession, but also strengthen Indonesia’s competitiveness in the global economy.

With Indonesia’s entry into the OECD, it is hoped that international investment and trade will increase, strengthening Indonesia’s position as the largest economy in the region.