Indonesia, in its role as ASEAN’s RCEP Coordinator, has expressed its readiness to host the RCEP Secretariat in Jakarta to strengthen the institutional framework and enhance coordination in implementing the Agreement. Indonesia considers Jakarta a suitable location due to its strategic position, its support for ASEAN centrality, and its alignment with existing regional mechanisms. Jakarta also hosts the ASEAN Secretariat, diplomatic missions of RCEP members, and ERIA, facilitating effective coordination. The Indonesian Government has committed to providing full facilities and privileges in line with international practice.

Indonesia, in its capacity as the ASEAN Country Coordinator for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), affirmed its readiness to host the RCEP Secretariat in Jakarta to strengthen the institutional architecture and enhance economic cooperation under the Agreement. According to Susiwijono Moegiarso, Secretary of the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, the establishment of the RCEP Secretariat is an important step toward improving coordination, promoting transparency, and ensuring that RCEP remains relevant amid evolving regional economic dynamics.RCEP currently comprises 15 members: the 10 ASEAN Member States and five partners (China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand). Four economies including Hong Kong (China), Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Chile have submitted applications to accede to the Agreement.

At the 5th RCEP Leaders’ Summit in Kuala Lumpur, leaders focused on two strategic issues guiding the implementation of RCEP in a complex global economic landscape. The Summit also reviewed and adopted the RCEP Leaders’ Statement, reaffirming the collective commitment to the multilateral trading system and to open, transparent, fair, and rules-based trade consistent with WTO principles.

Leaders agreed to maintain an “open, free, and rules-based” RCEP market by reducing trade barriers, facilitating trade and investment, and advancing domestic reforms to support sustainable and resilient growth.

A number of concrete actions were endorsed, including the full and effective implementation of the Agreement, advancing accession processes for potential partners, and strengthening the institutional framework through the establishment of the RCEP Secretariat. In parallel, Members have begun preparations for the General Review of RCEP, scheduled to commence in 2027, to ensure the Agreement remains responsive to global economic developments.

At the 11th Meeting of the RCEP Joint Committee, held on 20 November 2025 in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Indonesia circulated its proposal to RCEP Members on hosting the RCEP Secretariat in Jakarta for initial consideration.

Indonesia highlighted several advantages of locating the Secretariat in Jakarta, including its strategic and logical significance; its contribution to reinforcing ASEAN centrality; and its alignment with existing ASEAN-led regional mechanisms. Jakarta also hosts the ASEAN Secretariat, diplomatic missions of all RCEP Members, and major research institutions such as the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), facilitating coordination and cooperation. The proposal received support from many RCEP Members, and the Indonesian Government committed to providing adequate facilities and ensuring privileges and immunities for the Secretariat in line with international practice.

Source: Compiled by the Multilateral Trade Policy Department, Ministry of Industry and Trade of Viet Nam