First five years (1945-1950)

During the first five years of the Ministry's existence, the supreme task was to gain overseas recognition and international sympathy of Indonesian struggle for independence, all while during ongoing armed conflict with the Dutch colonial forces.

The young government managed to held peace talks and conferences with several parties, such as at Linggadjati (1946)^[6] or onboard USS Renville (1948).^[7] It actively supported high-level meeting such as the Round Table Conference (1949), where Indonesian independence was finally acknowledged by the Netherlands.^[8]

Liberal Democracy Period (1950-1959)

During this period, Indonesian diplomatic corps further pursued international recognition for Indonesia. It successfully managed to apply for Indonesian membership in the United Nations (1950),^[9] hosted a high-level conference of Asian and African countries in Bandung (1955),^[10] conclude an important nationality agreement with People's Republic of China (1955),^[11] and abandoned Dutch-Indonesian Union in 1956.^[12][13]

Despite some successes in other subjects, the New Guinea Question as the most important diplomacy goal remained unresolved throughout this period.

Guided Democracy Period (1959-1966)

Sukarno's disappointment with what he perceived as weakness of western-style parliamentary democracy, led him to restore Indonesia's 1945 presidential constitution. Along with it was a shift in Indonesian foreign policy, where Indonesia pursued a closer relations with the Soviet Union, People's Republic of China, and the Eastern Bloc in general; Although Indonesia would also participate in the foundation of the Non-Aligned Movement in Belgrade (1961).^[14][15] It also demanded a resolution on Dutch continued presence and occupation in the Western New Guinea, where Indonesia would consider a military approach in order to assert Indonesian rights over the territory.^[16] Dutch presence on the island would end following the New York Agreement (1962), where the Dutch New Guinea administration will transfer from the Netherlands to the United Nations Temporary Executive Authority (UNTEA), then to Indonesia.^[17][18]

Following the formation of Malaya, Singapore, Sabah, and North Borneo (Sabah) into the Federation of Malaysia (1963), Indonesia entered into a period of low-level confrontation with Malaysia, citing British imperialism in the region.^[19] Also during this period, Indonesia would suspend its membership in the United Nations, the only country to do so.^[20] The Konfrontasi would last until 1966, when the Sukarno administration was replaced, with Suharto became head of government, later President.

New Order Period (1966-1998)

Under Suharto, many of foreign policy overtures under Sukarno was revamped. The "Free-and-Active" foreign policy was reconfirmed, although at the cost of relations with many communist countries; no formal diplomatic relations between Indonesia and the PRC existed until 1990.^[21]

Suharto's militarist administration would held a referendum in West New Guinea to fulfill a requirement regarding the transfer of administration. Although the Act of Free Choice (1969) was highly suspected to be held under threat of violence by the Indonesian military, the result was unanimous in support of Indonesian integration, and was accepted and adopted by the UN General Assembly in November 1969.^[18]

Another one of this period's diplomatic activities is the formation of ASEAN in 1967, following the conclusion of Bangkok Declaration by the delegates of Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines.^[22] Indonesian government would also continue active participation in the Non-Aligned Movement and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, becoming its chairman for multiple times.

In 1975, Indonesia would invade and occupy East Timor until 1999. Throughout the New Order period, Indonesian foreign policy would promote and gain international recognition for the eventual annexation of East Timor.^[23]

Indonesia would also actively promote compliance of existing international law of the sea as prescribed under the UNCLOS, where Indonesia heavily contributed in the newly created 'archipelagic states' concept.^[24]

Present day (1998-now)

Present-day Indonesian foreign policy was the reconfirmation of 'Free-and-Active' foreign policy (Politik Luar Negeri Bebas Aktif).

Habibie Administration allowed a referendum to be conducted in East Timor, whether they prefer autonomy in Indonesia or independence.^[25]

Indonesia was invited into the Group of 20, as the only Southeast Asian countries in the group. In 2022, Indonesia held the G20 presidency with the topic 'Recover Together, Recover Stronger'.^[26] In 2023, Indonesia also held ASEAN chairmanship with the theme 'ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth'.^[27]

Executives

• Minister of Foreign Affairs (Indonesian: Menteri Luar Negeri), who heads the Ministry; and
• Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs (Indonesian: Wakil Menteri Luar Negeri), who assists the Minister in (i) formulating and implementing Indonesian foreign policy, and (ii) coordinating all high-level strategic activities of the Ministry.

Secretariat

• Secretariat General (Indonesian: Sekretariat Jenderal), tasked with coordinating the Ministry workflow, organizational fostering, and providing administrative support within the Ministry. The Secretariat General oversees several bureaus, as follows:
  • Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Biro Dukungan Strategis Pimpinan);
  • Bureau of Law and Administration of Ministry and Missions (Biro Hukum dan Administrasi Kementerian dan Perwakilan);
  • Bureau of Planning and Organization (Biro Perencanaan dan Organisasi);
  • Bureau of Human Resource (Biro Sumber Daya Manusia);
  • Bureau of Finance (Biro Keuangan); and
  • Bureau of General Affairs (Biro Umum).

Directorates General

• Directorate General of Asia-Pacific and African Affairs (Indonesian: Direktorat Jenderal Asia Pasifik dan Afrika), tasked with formulating and implementing Indonesian foreign policy in the form of bilateral, intraregional, and interregional interests in the region of Asia-Pacific and Africa. The DG oversees several subsections, as follows:
  • DG Secretariat;
  • Directorate of Southeast Asian Affairs (Direktorat Asia Tenggara);
  • Directorate of East Asian Affairs (Direktorat Asia Timur);
  • Directorate of Pacific and Oceanian Affairs (Direktorat Pasifik dan Oseania);
  • Directorate of South and Central Asian Affairs (Direktorat Asia Selatan dan Tengah);
  • Directorate of Middle-Eastern Affairs (Direktorat Timur Tengah);
  • Directorate of African Affairs (Direktorat Afrika); and
  • Directorate of Asia-Pacific and African Intra- and Inter-regional Cooperation (Direktorat Kerja Sama Intrakawasan dan Antarkawasan Asia Pasifik dan Afrika).
• Directorate General of American and European Affairs (Indonesian: Direktorat Jenderal Amerika dan Eropa), tasked with formulating and implementing Indonesian foreign policy in the form of bilateral, intraregional, and interregional interests in the region of the Americas and Europe.The DG oversees several subsections, as follows:
  • DG Secretariat;
  • Directorate of American Affairs I (Direktorat Amerika I), in charge of North America;
  • Directorate of American Affairs II (Direktorat Amerika II), in charge South America and the Caribbean;
  • Directorate of European Affairs I (Direktorat Eropa I), in charge of Western and Southern Europe;
  • Directorate of European Affairs II (Direktorat Eropa II), in charge of Northern, Central, and Eastern Europe; and
  • Directorate of European and American Intra- and Inter-regional Cooperation (Direktorat Kerja Sama Intrakawasan dan Antarkawasan Amerika dan Eropa).
• Directorate General of ASEAN Cooperation (Indonesian: Direktorat Jenderal Kerja Sama ASEAN), tasked with formulating and implementing Indonesian foreign policy in the form of ASEAN cooperation. The DG oversees several subsections, as follows:
  • DG Secretariat;
  • Directorate of ASEAN Political and Security Cooperation (Direktorat Kerja Sama Politik Keamanan ASEAN);
  • Directorate of ASEAN Economic Cooperation (Direktorat Kerja Sama Ekonomi ASEAN);
  • Directorate of ASEAN Socio-cultural Cooperation (Direktorat Kerja Sama Sosial Budaya ASEAN); and
  • Directorate of ASEAN External Cooperation (Direktorat Kerja Sama Eksternal ASEAN).
• Directorate General of Multilateral Cooperation (Indonesian: Direktorat Jenderal Kerja Sama Multilateral), tasked with formulating and implementing Indonesian foreign policy in the form of multilateral cooperation. The DG oversees several subsections, as follows:
  • DG Secretariat;
  • Directorate of International Security and Disarmament (Direktorat Keamanan Internasional dan Perlucutan Senjata);
  • Directorate of Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs (Direktorat Hak Asasi Manusia dan Kemanusiaan);
  • Directorate of Development, Economic, and Environmental Affairs (Direktorat Pembangunan, Ekonomi, dan Lingkungan Hidup);
  • Directorate of Trade, Industry, Commodities, and Intellectual Property (Direktorat Perdagangan, Perindustrian, Komoditas, dan Kekayaan Intelektual); and
  • Directorate of Socio-cultural Affairs and International Organizations of Developing Countries (Direktorat Sosial Budaya dan Organisasi Internasional Negara Berkembang).
• Directorate General of Law and International Treaty (Indonesian: Direktorat Jenderal Hukum dan Perjanjian Internasional), tasked with formulating and implementing Indonesian foreign policy in the form of international law and international treaties enforcement. The DG oversees several subsections, as follows:
  • DG Secretariat;
  • Directorate of Legal Affairs and Territorial Treaties (Direktorat Hukum dan Perjanjian Kewilayahan);
  • Directorate of Legal Affairs and Economic Treaties (Direktorat Hukum dan Perjanjian Ekonomi);
  • Directorate of Legal Affairs and Socio-cultural Treaties (Direktorat Hukum dan Perjanjian Sosial Budaya); and
  • Directorate of Legal Affairs and Political and Security Treaties (Direktorat Hukum dan Perjanjian Politik dan Keamanan).
• Directorate General of Information and Public Diplomacy (Indonesian: Direktorat Jenderal Informasi dan Diplomasi Publik), tasked with formulating and implementing Indonesian foreign policy in the form of information management, public diplomacy, diplomatic security, and international development cooperation. The director general also serves as official spokesperson of the Ministry. The DG oversees several subsections, as follows:
  • DG Secretariat;
  • Directorate of Information and Media Services (Direktorat Informasi dan Media);
  • Directorate of Public Diplomacy (Direktorat Diplomasi Publik);
  • Directorate of International Development Cooperation (Direktorat Kerja Sama Pembangunan Internasional); and
  • Directorate of Diplomatic Security (Direktorat Keamanan Diplomatik).
• Directorate General of Protocol and Consular Affairs (Indonesian: Direktorat Jenderal Protokol dan Konsuler), tasked with formulating and implementing Indonesian foreign policy in the form of providing protocol service, consular service, diplomatic facilities, as well as protecting Indonesian citizens overseas. The director general also serves ex officio as chief of state protocol of Indonesia (Kepala Protokol Negara). The DG oversees several subsections, as follows:
  • DG Secretariat;
  • Directorate of Protocol Affairs (Direktorat Protokol);
  • Directorate of Consular Affairs (Direktorat Konsuler);
  • Directorate of Diplomatic Facilities (Direktorat Fasilitas Diplomatik); and
  • Directorate of Protection of Citizens (Direktorat Perlindungan Warga Negara Indonesia).

Inspectorate

• Inspectorate General (Indonesian: Inspektorat Jenderal), tasked with internal monitoring of the Ministry and the Missions. The Inspectorate General oversees several subsections, as follows:
  • Secretariat of the Inspectorate General;
  • Regional Inspectorate I (Indonesian missions in Southeast Asia, East Asia, South and Central Asia, Indonesian permanent representative for ASEAN, as well as Directorate General of Asia-Pacific and African Affairs, Directorate General of ASEAN Cooperation, and Foreign Policy Strategy Agency);
  • Regional Inspectorate II (Indonesian missions in Europe, as well as Directorate General of American and European Affairs, Directorate General of Multilateral Cooperation, and Directorate General of Legal and International Treaties);
  • Regional Inspectorate III (Indonesian missions in Africa, Middle East, as well as the Secretariat General and the Inspectorate General); and
  • Regional Inspectorate IV (Indonesian missions in Pacific, the Americas, the Caribbean, as well as Directorate General of Information and Public Diplomacy, Directorate General of Protocol and Consular Affairs, Education and Training Center, IT and Communications Center, and Functionary Management Center).

Agency

• Foreign Policy Strategy Agency (Indonesian: Badan Strategi Kebijakan Luar Negeri), tasked with tasked with formulating, drafting, and providing recommendation on Indonesian foreign policy strategy. The agency is coordinated under the Secretariat General and oversees several centers, as follows:
  • Agency Secretariat;
  • Center for Policy Strategy for the Asia-Pacific and Africa Region (Pusat Strategi Kebijakan Kawasan Asia Pasifik dan Afrika);
  • Center for Policy Strategy for the Americas and Europe Region (Pusat Strategi Kebijakan Kawasan Amerika dan Eropa);
  • Center for Multilateral Policy Strategy (Pusat Strategi Kebijakan Multilateral); and
  • Center for Policy Strategy for Special Issues and Data Analysis (Pusat Strategi Kebijakan Isu Khusus dan Analisis Data).

Advisory Staff

• Advisor to the Minister on Political, Legal, and Security Affairs (Indonesian: Staf Ahli Bidang Politik, Hukum, dan Keamanan), tasked with providing recommendation on strategic issues to the Minister on matters of politics, law, and security;
• Advisor to the Minister on Economic Diplomacy (Indonesian: Staf Ahli Bidang Diplomasi Ekonomi), tasked with providing recommendation on strategic issues to the Minister on matters of economic diplomacy;
• Advisor to the Minister on Socio-Cultural Affairs and Indonesian Overseas Empowerment (Indonesian: Staf Ahli Bidang Sosial, Budaya, dan Pemberdayaan Masyarakat Indonesia di Luar Negeri), tasked with providing recommendation on strategic issues to the Minister on matters of socio-cultural affairs and the empowerment of overseas Indonesian;
• Advisor to the Minister on Inter-Institutional Relations (Indonesian: Staf Ahli Bidang Hubungan Antarlembaga), tasked with providing recommendation on strategic issues to the Minister on matters of interinstitutional relations;
• Advisor to the Minister on Management (Indonesian: Staf Ahli Bidang Manajemen), tasked with providing recommendation on strategic issues to the Minister on matters of organizational management; and
• Special Advisor to the Minister on Priority Programs (Indonesian: Staf Khusus untuk Penguatan Program-Program Prioritas), tasked with providing recommendation on strategic issues to the Minister on matters of priority programs.

Centers

The following centers is coordinated under the Secretariat General:

• Education and Training Center (Indonesian: Pusat Pendidikan dan Pelatihan), tasked with formulating technical policy, implementing, monitoring, evaluating, managing of learning support facilities, and reporting on matters of training and educating civil servants of the Ministry and the Missions. The Center oversees several subsections, as follows:
  • Planning, Development, and Evaluation Section (Bidang Perencanaan, Pengembangan, dan Evaluasi);
  • Non-diplomatic Education and Training Section (Bidang Pendidikan dan Pelatihan Nondiplomatik);
  • Technical Education and Training Section (Bidang Pendidikan dan Pelatihan Teknis);
  • Education and Training Cooperation Section (Bidang Kerja Sama Pendidikan dan Pelatihan); and
  • Administrative Affairs Section (Bagian Tata Usaha).
• IT and Communications Center for the Ministry and Missions (Indonesian: Pusat Teknologi Informasi dan Komunikasi Kementerian dan Perwakilan), tasked with formulating technical policy, implementing, monitoring, evaluating, and reporting on IT and Communications development and management, diplomatic digital data, integrated communication system, information security management, and diplomatic cyphers, within the Ministry and the Missions. The Center oversees several subsections, as follows:
  • IT and Communications Management Section (Bidang Tata Kelola Teknologi Informasi dan Komunikasi);
  • IT and Communications Development Section (Bidang Pengembangan Teknologi Informasi dan Komunikasi);
  • IT and Communications Operation Sections (Bidang Operasional Teknologi Informasi dan Komunikasi); and
  • Administrative Affairs Section (Bagian Tata Usaha).
• Functionary Management Center (Indonesian: Pusat Pembinaan Jabatan Fungsional), tasked with formulating technical policy, implementing, monitoring, evaluating, and reporting on functionary management within the Ministry. The Center oversees several subsections, as follows:
  • Diplomat Fostering Section (Bidang Pembinaan Jabatan Fungsional Diplomat);
  • Chancellery Administrator and Non-diplomatic Functionary I Fostering Section (Bidang Pembinaan Jabatan Fungsional Penata Kanselerai dan Non-diplomatik I);
  • Diplomatic Information Administrator and Non-diplomatic Functionary II Fostering Section (Bidang Pembinaan Jabatan Fungsional Pranata Informasi Diplomatik dan Non-diplomatik II); and
  • Administrative Affairs Section (Bagian Tata Usaha).

Technical Units

• Junior Diplomatic School (Unit Pelaksana Teknis Sekolah Dinas Luar Negeri), also known as UPT Sekdilu, organized under the Education and Training Center, tasked with training diplomat candidates into junior diplomats;
• Mid-career Diplomatic School (Unit Pelaksana Teknis Sekolah Staf Dinas Luar Negeri), also known as UPT Sesdilu, organized under the Education and Training Center, tasked with training junior diplomats into mid-career diplomats;
• Senior Diplomatic School (Unit Pelaksana Teknis Sekolah Staf dan Pimpinan Departemen Luar Negeri), also known as UPT Sesparlu, organized under the Education and Training Center, tasked with mid-career diplomats into senior diplomats; and
• Asian-African Conference Museum (Unit Pelaksana Teknis Museum Konferensi Asia-Afrika) or Museum KAA, organized under the Directorate of Public Diplomacy, tasked with maintaining the historic museum and its milestones in Indonesian foreign relations history.

Diplomatic ranks

In Indonesia, the professional term "Diplomat" refers to a specific functionary post (Jabatan Fungsional) within the Indonesian Civil Service. Diplomatic ranks for Indonesian diplomats were modified in order to accommodate the classification for Indonesian Civil Service regulations.

Education and training

Professional diplomats of the Foreign Ministry are part of the Indonesian Civil Service (Aparatur Sipil Negara), and thus trained and educated by the Ministry after passing the National Civil Service Examination (Seleksi Calon Aparatur Sipil Negara) and completing the National Civil Service Basic Training Program (Pelatihan Dasar Calon Aparatur Sipil Negara). The Foreign Ministry's Education and Training Center offers three education and training programs for diplomats to participate in:

1. Junior Diplomatic School (Sekolah Dinas Luar Negeri, abbreviated as Sekdilu), aimed for diplomat candidates to rise to junior diplomats;
2. Mid-career Diplomatic School (Sekolah Staf Dinas Luar Negeri, abbreviated as Sesdilu), aimed for junior diplomats to rise to mid-career diplomats; and
3. Senior Diplomatic School (Sekolah Staf dan Pimpinan Luar Negeri, abbreviated as Sesparlu), aimed for mid-career diplomats to rise to senior diplomats, in order to fill in key leadership positions in the Ministry and Missions.

1971 Construction

The construction of current modern structures first began on 7 January 1971 during the tenure of Foreign Minister Adam Malik. The buildings were designed by a team of architects from Perentjana Djaja. During this phase, four different structure was refurbished or completed:

• a 10-story main operational building, completed in 1975;
• a west-wing building used by ASEAN National Secretariat, completed in 1972;
• an east-wing building, previously occupied by BP7 government institution, used for the library and executive offices, completed in 1974;
• the Gedung Pancasila, which was originally built in 1830, underwent a renovation in 1973 and completed in 1975.
• a dome-shaped fifth structure, which was planned to serve as a meeting hall, was scrapped early.

By 1975, all construction and refurbishment project has been completed. The project was jointly executed by PT. Hutama Karya and PT. Moeladi, with a budget of IDR 2.5 billion per August 1972. President Soeharto and Foreign Minister Adam Malik officially inaugurate the Foreign Ministry Building Complex on 19 August 1975, the 30th Anniversary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.^[31]

1988 Fire

On the early hours of 10 November 1988, a fire broke out in the East Wing and the Main Building. Firefighters managed to put the fire under control in an hour, with around ten offices heavily damaged. Several agendas of the Ministry have to move their venue or be cancelled.

1991 Renovation

Following the 1988 fire, several Foreign Ministry units and personnel were forced to work in separate office for some times, such as in Sam Ratulangi office (Menteng) or in Sisingamangaraja office (Kebayoran Baru), which resulted with disturbances and disorganized workflow within the Ministry.

In order to address this issue, a major renovation is planned, with PT. Pasaraya Tosersajaya assigned as the project developer; designs inspired by the original 1970s draft by Perentjana Djaja team were implemented by a team of architects of Parama Loka Consultants. A special attention and consideration was made during designing phase to properly present the Gedung Pancasila as the face of the Ministry. The renovated building would be painted white, rather than the previous light brown.

The renovation was executed by private contractor Total Bangun Persada, with an estimated budget of IDR 40 billion. It began in May 1991 with the cleanup of the fire-damaged East Wing and completed by August 1992, and inaugurated by President Soeharto on 19 August 1992, the 47th Anniversary of the Ministry, and just before the opening of 1992 Non-Aligned Movement Summit in Jakarta.^[31][32]

Recent development

In March 2021, the renovation for Integrated Public Service Building (Gedung Pelayanan Publik Terpadu) is completed and inaugurated by Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi.^[33]

The Foreign Ministry will be one of the first government ministries to be moved to the new capital in Nusantara, with asset and personnel transfer might happen as early as 2024.^[34]