How have the geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East developed over the past decade? How do the countries in the region navigate the geopolitical shift and how have the middle powers played their role in shaping the regional architecture in the Middle East? Against this backdrop, FPCI Middle Power Studies Network (MPSN) convened a public discussion titled “Mapping Geopolitical Shifts in the Middle-East.” The session discussed the future of geopolitics in the Middle East and how the countries in the region have developed their foreign policies to navigate the current regional and world order.

ASEAN’s led regional mechanism would not be effective and impactful without the support of its strategic partners, including the US, China, Japan, and India. Although the strategic significance of these strategic partners are well-recognized, Southeast Asians’ perceptions on the US, China, Japan and India are often not known. In 2023, FPCI, in collaboration with the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), conducted a regional survey titled “Survey of ASEAN Peoples’ Perceptions on China, India, Japan, and the USA.” The survey successfully gathered responses from 1,722 participants spanning all ASEAN member countries, including Timor-Leste. To dive deeper into the survey’s results, FPCI convened a “Public Debrief: Survey of ASEAN Peoples’ Perceptions on China, India, Japan, and USA.” This public debriefing explored the significance of these perceptions, discussed why they matter and uncovered further geopolitical insights that may arise from the survey findings.

In today’s rapidly evolving technological and geopolitical landscape, the capacity for individuals and civil society groups to affect meaningful change has expanded beyond traditional government channels. While governments from the U.S. to China, and from the Global North to the Global South still play a crucial role, the democratization of information and communication tools has empowered ordinary people and grassroots organizations to contribute to societal progress in unprecedented ways. Good ideas can come from anywhere. However, transforming individual ideas into tangible changes requires strategic planning, collaboration, compromise, and sustained effort. Building alliances with like-minded individuals and organizations can amplify impact and create momentum for change. Fostering a culture of civic engagement and participatory democracy, therefore, is essential for ensuring that individual ideas translate into concrete actions and lasting improvements in society. In short, the world urgently awaits the age of the citizen policy entrepreneur. Against this backdrop, Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia convened a Global Town Hall series on “Transforming Ideas into Impact: How Individuals and Civil Society Groups Can Drive Meaningful Changes?” where we looked into how individuals as well as civil society groups can initiate and enact changes that are not just impactful, but also long-lasting.

In the Middle East, Saudi Arabia has been seen as one of important players in global affairs for its increasing presence and influence on the regional and global stage over the past years. To dive deeper into Saudi Arabia’s foreign policy development, FPCI Middle Power Studies Network (MPSN) convened a public discussion titled “Eyes on Saudi Arabia: How a Pivotal Middle Power is Raising Its Strategic Game.”

In July 2023, Indonesia officially announced its interest in joining the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), an international organization established by the European nations in 1961. Approaching the end of 2023, a letter of intention from Indonesia has been submitted to the OECD Secretary-General and is currently waiting for formal proceedings of the steps forward by the OECD. Indonesia has been a key partner of the OECD and has worked closely together since 2007, along with Brazil, China, and South Africa. Should Indonesia join the OECD, it will be the third Asian country member after Japan and South Korea. Against this backdrop, Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia (FPCI) and the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) convened a virtual public discussion on “Indonesia and OECD Membership: Weighing the Political-Economic Implications.”