Who is likely to be Indonesia’s candidate for ASEAN Secretary General?
- Noto Suoneto
- 19 hours ago
- 6 min read
Anytime in 2027, ASEAN will enter a new phase of leadership with the appointment of its next Secretary-General. Based on the rotational arrangement among member states, Indonesia is expected to nominate the next representative to lead the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta.
The role of the ASEAN Secretary-General extends far beyond administrative responsibilities. It is a highly strategic position that helps shape ASEAN’s direction, priorities, and institutional effectiveness as a regional organization.
While ASEAN member states ultimately determine the bloc’s collective agenda, the Secretary-General plays an important structural role in accelerating the implementation of commitments made by ASEAN leaders, strengthening coordination among member countries, and ensuring ASEAN remains relevant amid evolving geopolitical and economic challenges.
As Indonesia prepares for its turn to nominate the next ASEAN Secretary-General, discussions have begun regarding figures who may emerge as strong candidates for the position. While the political dynamics may evolve over time, several prominent names are already attracting attention, at least to my observation.
Dino Patti Djalal
A seasoned diplomat and former Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, Dino Patti Djalal, widely known as Dino, has long been recognized as a strong advocate of Indonesian internationalism and regional engagement. Through the establishment of the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia (FPCI), he has helped build what is often regarded as one of the largest foreign policy communities in Indonesia and the wider Indo-Pacific region.
Under his leadership, FPCI has launched numerous initiatives aimed at strengthening regional understanding and people-to-people engagement across Southeast Asia. One of its flagship initiatives, the SEA Lecture Hall, began as a virtual platform and has since expanded into in-person programs, connecting Southeast Asian youth and students with leading regional thinkers and policymakers. Distinguished speakers have included figures such as Kishore Mahbubani and Amitav Acharya.
More recently, Dino initiated the ASEAN for the People Conference, built upon the idea that ASEAN must deliver more tangible impacts for its citizens and communities. By bringing together hundreds of civil society organizations from across Southeast Asia, the conference reinforced the notion that ASEAN’s future should also be shaped by its people, especially younger generations.
Dino has also remained active in discussions concerning the South China Sea, continuing the intellectual legacy of his father, Professor Hasjim Djalal, who was widely respected for his contributions to regional maritime diplomacy. Through the establishment of the Center for Southeast Asian Studies or Pusat Studi Asia Tenggara (PSAT), Dino has continued to promote dialogue among academics, policymakers, and strategic stakeholders on regional maritime and geopolitical issues.
Given his extensive diplomatic background, regional networks, and strong emphasis on public diplomacy and ASEAN engagement, Dino Patti Djalal is often viewed as one of the most visible potential candidates for the ASEAN Secretary-General position.
Retno Marsudi
Retno Marsudi is widely known as Indonesia’s first female Minister of Foreign Affairs and one of the country’s most prominent diplomatic figures in recent years. During Indonesia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2023 under President Joko Widodo, Retno played a central role in navigating complex regional challenges while maintaining ASEAN’s cohesion and relevance amid intensifying geopolitical competition as a Foreign Minister.
Throughout her tenure, Retno consistently emphasized ASEAN’s role as a platform for dialogue, inclusivity, and regional stability. She has strongly advocated for ASEAN’s “convening power”, the ability of the organization to bring together competing actors and encourage dialogue over confrontation.
Retno is also widely associated with the advancement of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), a framework aimed at ensuring that the Indo-Pacific region remains peaceful, stable, open, and inclusive. The AOIP emphasizes cooperation rather than rivalry and focuses on four key areas: Maritime cooperation, Connectivity, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Economic and other areas of possible cooperation.
Her diplomatic approach has often been characterized by pragmatism, consensus-building, and a strong commitment to preserving ASEAN centrality amid growing tensions among major powers.
With her extensive international experience, strong relationships with global leaders, and direct involvement in shaping ASEAN’s contemporary diplomatic agenda, Retno Marsudi is frequently regarded as another highly credible figure who could potentially lead the ASEAN Secretariat in the coming years.
Marty Natalegawa
Widely regarded as one of Indonesia’s most charismatic and intellectually respected diplomats, Marty Natalegawa served as Indonesia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs during the administration of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Throughout his tenure, Marty became known for his sharp strategic thinking, articulate diplomacy, and strong commitment to Indonesia’s active role in regional and global affairs.
A prolific thinker and writer, Marty authored the influential book Does ASEAN Matter? A View from Within, which offers an insider’s perspective on ASEAN’s evolution, challenges, and strategic relevance in maintaining regional peace, stability, and cooperation. The book has become one of the most widely referenced reflections on ASEAN diplomacy written by a Southeast Asian policymaker.
As a longstanding advocate of ASEAN Centrality, Marty has consistently emphasized the importance of keeping ASEAN at the forefront of Indonesia’s foreign policy. Through public engagements, lectures, and strategic dialogues, he frequently reminds audiences that regional developments in Southeast Asia directly affect Indonesia’s national interests and vice versa.
Even after leaving government, Marty has remained actively engaged in promoting regionalism, dialogue, and multilateral cooperation. Through initiatives such as the Amity Circle, a network of former foreign ministers and senior officials from across the Indo-Pacific, he continues to encourage strategic conversations on regional affairs, conflict prevention, and the future of multilateralism in an increasingly fragmented world.
With his deep diplomatic experience, intellectual credibility, and longstanding commitment to ASEAN and international cooperation, Marty Natalegawa is often viewed as one of Indonesia’s most respected figures in regional diplomacy and a potential candidate capable of providing strategic leadership for ASEAN in the years ahead.
Mari Elka Pangestu
Mari Elka Pangestu is widely regarded as one of Indonesia’s most prominent economists and policymakers, with decades of experience in international trade, economic diplomacy, and regional cooperation. Throughout her distinguished career, she has held several strategic government positions, including serving as Indonesia’s Minister of Trade as well as Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy.
Currently, Mari serves as the Vice Chair of Indonesia’s National Economic Council and continues to play an important role in advising the government on international economic engagement and trade strategy. Her longstanding involvement in global and regional economic policymaking has made her one of Indonesia’s most respected voices on economic diplomacy and regional integration.
Mari has consistently been a strong advocate of open regionalism and economic cooperation. She was actively involved in supporting the formulation and advancement of the (RCEP), the world’s largest free trade agreement, which officially entered into force in 2022. Through her work, she has emphasized the importance of strengthening regional supply chains, market integration, and inclusive economic growth across Asia-Pacific economies.
With her deep intellectual understanding of regional economic cooperation, Mari was also appointed as a member of the expert panel for the ASEAN Geoeconomics Task Force, initiated during Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, an initiative aimed at strengthening ASEAN’s strategic economic resilience and navigating the growing complexities of global economic fragmentation and geopolitical competition.
Known for her extensive regional and international networks, Mari also maintains close engagement with the private sector. She has been actively involved with prominent Indonesian business organizations such as the Indonesian Employers’ Association or known as APINDO and the Indonesian Business Council (IBC). Her strong connections with business communities provide her with valuable perspectives on how ASEAN’s regional integration agenda can deliver more tangible benefits for trade, investment, and cross-border business cooperation.
Given her combined expertise in economics, policymaking, and regional integration, Mari Elka Pangestu is often viewed as a figure capable of bringing a stronger economic and geoeconomic dimension to ASEAN leadership in the future.
Public discourse surrounding the appointment of the next ASEAN Secretary-General has continued to grow, accompanied by a wide range of aspirations and expectations regarding the future direction of ASEAN leadership.
Some have argued that the time has come for ASEAN to appoint its first female Secretary-General, reflecting the region’s growing commitment to inclusivity and gender representation in leadership. Others believe that ASEAN would benefit from a more economically oriented Secretary-General, particularly as the organization continues to prioritize regional economic integration, connectivity, and resilience amid an increasingly uncertain global environment.
Regardless of the differing perspectives and aspirations emerging from the public sphere, what ultimately matters is Indonesia’s ability to nominate the most capable and visionary candidate to help guide ASEAN through the challenges and opportunities of the coming years. The process of selecting a nominee will undoubtedly require careful deliberation, strategic consideration, and regional sensitivity.
As ASEAN continues to evolve, public engagement and discussion should also be welcomed as part of a broader effort to strengthen regional ownership and awareness. For many observers, advocates, and supporters of ASEAN cooperation out there, let’s promote your candidate! Who else you think is fit to this position?
This article written by Noto Suoneto, Founder of Southeast Asian Society of Foreign Affairs (SASFA), and VP for International Affairs and Operations at Indonesian Business Council (IBC).
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