Italy’s Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Maria Tripodi is in Jakarta on a mission focused on “growth diplomacy,” according to Italy’s foreign ministry, the Farnesina.
Why it matters: Indonesia is among Italy’s leading economic partners in Asia and is considered a high-growth market under Italy’s Export Action Plan promoted by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani — making it strategically crucial for Italian companies.
What’s happening: Tripodi met with Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto. She also held talks with Vice Foreign Minister Arif Havas Oegroseno.
- Discussions focused on expanding economic cooperation in:
- the digital economy
- technological innovation
- the green transition
- the space sector, particularly for civilian and environmental uses, from land monitoring to maritime security.
The big picture: Tripodi underlined the importance of strengthening bilateral ties on:
- trade and investment
- relaunching structured bilateral dialogue
- coordination on multilateral issues of shared interest.
Regional angle:
Tripodi also met Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN.
- Italy’s support for ASEAN’s central role in ensuring stability and development in Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific “will continue with determination,” Tripodi said, welcoming the €10 million investment that enabled the launch of the Italy–ASEAN Development Partnership and delivered concrete cooperation results.
What we’re watching: Rome is positioning Indonesia — and ASEAN more broadly — as key pillars of Italy’s economic and strategic outreach across Asia and the broader Indo-Pacific.
