Indonesia’s OECD Bid Spurs Bureaucratic Reform and Digital Transformation

JAKARTA, investortrust.id – Indonesia’s efforts to join the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development have supported major improvements in governance and bureaucratic reform, according to a senior government official. The process has prompted Indonesia to review and align its policies with international standards, advancing the country’s digital transformation and public service innovation.

Minister for Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform Rini Widyantini said the accession process has enabled Indonesia to reflect on its achievements and identify areas for institutional improvement. She made the statement during a meeting with Massimo Geloso Grosso, Head of the OECD Global Relations and Cooperation Office in Jakarta, on Sunday, March 23, 2025.

The ministry has made significant progress on the Initial Memorandum, a self-assessment document that measures Indonesia’s alignment with OECD legal instruments. Of the 21 instruments under the OECD Public Governance Committee, 20 have reached the drafting stage. These cover key areas such as digital identity governance, public policy evaluation, and public sector innovation. A section on information integrity remains under final review.

“We hope this cooperation will significantly accelerate bureaucratic reform, especially in strengthening digital government transformation and human capital in Indonesia,” said Rini.

Despite persistent challenges in bureaucratic structure and digital inequality, Rini said Indonesia sees opportunities for reform. The country is now implementing a life-cycle-based approach to public services, consistent with the OECD framework that emphasizes human-centered governance.

Indonesia has taken several steps to reduce administrative burdens, foster innovation, and improve citizen-focused public services.

Grosso commended Indonesia’s progress and reaffirmed the OECD’s support for the country’s governance reform efforts, noting the country had delivered a promising start for long-term cooperation.

The OECD has actively assisted Indonesia in digital governance and human resource development. Grosso also encouraged Indonesian delegates to participate directly in key OECD forums to strengthen credibility as a prospective member. Such engagement, he said, would demonstrate Indonesia’s commitment to the accession process.

To deepen collaboration, the Ministry of Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform held a Workshop on Public Administration Reform and Service Delivery in Jakarta on March 19–20, 2025. The event, organized with the OECD and the Australian Public Service Commission, showcased international best practices in service transformation, innovation, and public engagement. These strategies aim to boost the quality of public services in Indonesia.