Minister Sugiono Acknowledges Difficulty in U.S., UN Ambassador Selection

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Foreign Minister Sugiono acknowledged the importance of the positions of Indonesian ambassadors to the United States (U.S.) and the United Nations (UN). However, he also emphasized that finding the right candidates to fill these two-year vacancies has proven challenging.

"I think this is our mistake that the process did not proceed quickly and smoothly," Sugiono said during a working meeting at Commission I of the House of Representatives (DPR) on Monday, June 30, 2025.

The Gerindra Party politician indicated that a letter regarding the ambassador candidates for the U.S. and UN might be sent to the DPR within the next day or two.

Sugiono noted that the government has managed its representation duties in countries without an ambassador quite smoothly so far. "But again, it's impossible to leave ambassador positions vacant, especially in major countries," he said, adding, "Fortunately, we were able to complete all processes at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs."

During the same meeting, Commission I member from NasDem Party, Amelia Anggraeni, emphasized the crucial nature of the U.S. and UN ambassadorial roles, asserting that these positions cannot remain vacant for too long. "Washington and New York are important hubs in global diplomacy," Amelia highlighted.

According to her, a prolonged vacancy risks hindering Indonesia's diplomatic efforts with the U.S. She urged that these two ambassador positions be filled immediately. "This vacancy could risk weakening Indonesia's strategic diplomacy amid rapid geopolitical changes."

The position of Indonesian Ambassador to the U.S. has been vacant since Rosan Roeslani completed his duties on July 17, 2023. Rosan was later appointed as the Minister of Investment in August 2024, replacing Bahlil Lahadalia.

Meanwhile, the Permanent Representative of Indonesia to the UN was previously Arrmanatha Nasir. The former Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman was appointed by President Prabowo Subianto as the Deputy Foreign Minister in October 2024.

Earlier, Ahmad Muzani, Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), mentioned that filling the U.S. Ambassador position merely awaited a letter from President Prabowo Subianto to the House of Representatives. He noted that President Prabowo had already considered this vacancy.

"I think President Prabowo has considered filling them soon," said Muzani, also a member of Commission I of the House of Representatives, in Jakarta on Wednesday, June 25, 2025.

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