FISIP UPNVJ – The United States is a major trading partner for most Southeast Asian countries, including Indonesia. However, COVID-19 raises anxieties that it will disrupt the significant bilateral trade relationship.
To discuss regional trade trends, Pacific Forum International in collaboration with US Embassy Jakarta, UPN Veteran Jakarta, and CSIS Indonesia organized a public discussion on “Exploring Regional Trade & the Challenges of the Post-Covid-19 Economy,” that took place virtually on February 23, 2021.
The international webinar involved academics and researchers from three different institutions: Dr. Bradley Jensen Murg, Associate Professor of Political Science at Paragon International University of Phnom Penh; Dr. Shanti Darmastuti, lecturer of International Relations Study Program at UPN Veteran Jakarta; and Mr. Rocky Intan, researcher at CSIS Indonesia.
Speakers were optimistic that regional trade relationship will still grow in line with the continuous efforts from Indonesian government and its neighbors to mitigate further virus spread. Meanwhile, the discussion also included the potential and challenges of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which involve countries across the Asia-Pacific region. The discussion was moderated by Dr. Crystal Pryor, Director of Non-Proliferation, Technology, and Fellowships at Pacific Forum.
There were 134 participants attending the webinar including from government, private sector, academia, and other non-governmental organizations.
Opening remarks from Pacific Forum and the US Embassy Jakarta were given by Dr. David Santoro, Vice President for Nuclear Policy Programs at Pacific Forum and Mr. Leo Jilk, Assistant Cultural Affairs Officer at the Embassy. From the Indonesian side, Andi Kurniawan, Head of the International Relations Study Program, representing the Dean of FISIP UPN Veteran Jakarta, Dr. Dudy Heryadi; and Dr. Shafiah F. Muhibat, Head of the IR Department at CSIS Indonesia, offered welcome remarks.
Writer: IR Program UPNVJ