Indonesia, Mongolia Mark 70 Years of Diplomatic Relations - Tempo.co English
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Ambassador to China and Mongolia Djauhari Oratmangun emphasized that Indonesia and Mongolia are strengthening their partnership as they mark the 70th anniversary of their diplomatic relations.
"As we celebrate 70 years of diplomatic relations, there is much to look forward to in the future. Stronger cooperation between Indonesia and Mongolia is crucial, and the spirit of resilience must be translated into concrete action," Ambassador Djauhari said during a diplomatic reception in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, on Tuesday, September 29, 2026.
The diplomatic reception was held to commemorate the 81st anniversary of Indonesia's independence and the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Indonesia and Mongolia. The two nations established diplomatic relations on December 21, 1956.
"Mongolia is a place where the land demonstrates resilience, where strong winds sweep across the grasslands, and where winter gusts test the limits of our endurance. Therefore, opening doors can be a decisive factor," Djauhari explained.
According to him, the 70th-anniversary commemoration embodies a spirit that symbolizes the friendship and resilience of both nations.
"It is also an opportunity to deepen and strengthen our partnership for the future, especially as we face an increasingly complex global landscape—with ongoing conflicts, rising protectionism, supply chain disruptions, and the heavy burdens of energy and food security facing many nations," he elaborated.
Given these conditions, the ambassador continued, the Indonesia-Mongolia partnership is no longer merely an option.
"The partnership is a necessity. It means building more resilient supply chains, more diverse markets, and a stronger shared future. This entails expanding the scope of our supply sources, production locations, and areas of development," he added. As we celebrate 70 years of diplomatic relations, Ambassador Djauhari noted that there is much to look forward to in the future.
"Our political cooperation has grown significantly, as reflected in last year's foreign ministers' meeting and the bilateral consultations held earlier this year," he said.
In the economic sector, total trade in 2025 amounted to US$56.6 million, dominated by Indonesian exports valued at US$49.5 million, while Indonesia's imports from Mongolia totaled only US$6.5 million.
"We have discussed ways to leverage our shared potential, and from these discussions, I see three areas where we can achieve tangible progress," Djauhari revealed.
First is institutional learning; both nations can learn from each other's experiences regarding governance, downstream industrialization, and sustainability.
"Second is education. This year, Indonesia's *Dharma Siswa* and KNB scholarship programs are giving special priority to Mongolia. We are ready to welcome and facilitate broader participation from Mongolian students," he added.
Third is tourism and cultural ties, as both nations—from the Indonesian archipelago to the Mongolian landscape—offer extraordinary experiences to the world.
"Furthermore, we can expand cooperation through the halal ecosystem, culinary exchanges, and tourism programs. Let us encourage digital creators to share each other's stories," Ambassador Djauhari said.
Meanwhile, Mongolian Deputy Foreign Minister Amartuvshin Gombosuren, who also attended the diplomatic reception, stated that relations and cooperation with Southeast Asian nations—including Indonesia—hold a significant place in Mongolia's foreign policy.
"In this regard, we view Indonesia as a key partner in Southeast Asia and remain committed to expanding and strengthening trade and economic cooperation between our two countries," Amartuvshin said. Amartuvshin also reaffirmed Mongolia's commitment to advancing its foreign policy objectives in Southeast Asia by fostering mutually beneficial cooperation with Indonesia across various sectors, including politics, trade and investment, agriculture, tourism, and culture.
"I am pleased to see Mongolia-Indonesia relations continuing to develop steadily, marked by regular high-level reciprocal visits, mutual support at regional and international levels, and increasingly close and substantive cooperation," he added.
He also expressed appreciation for Indonesia's engagement in the bilateral relationship, close cooperation within regional and international organizations, and Indonesia's role in strengthening Mongolia's ties with ASEAN.
High-level visits between the leaders of both nations have also taken place; Mongolian President Punsalmaagiin Ochirbat visited Indonesia in 1997, followed by President Natsagiin Bagabandi in 2005. Additionally, Prime Minister Nambaryn Enkhbayar (2002) and Prime Minister Sükhbaataryn Batbold (2011) also paid visits.
Three Indonesian presidents have visited Mongolia—Sukarno (1956), Megawati Soekarnoputri (2003), and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (2012)—along with a visit by Vice President Jusuf Kalla in 2016. The two countries held a Joint Commission meeting in Jakarta in 2015, inter-foreign ministry consultations in 2019 and virtually in 2022, as well as political consultations in Jakarta on February 26, 2026.
