Jakarta [Indonesia], August 5 (ANI): The second edition of the Jakarta Futures Forum (JFF) began Tuesday in Indonesia’s capital, jointly organized by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Indonesia, and the Indian Embassy in Jakarta. Building on the momentum of its inaugural edition held in May, the 2025 forum is centered on the theme “Securing Seas, Strengthening Cooperation,” with a strong focus on deepening India-Indonesia strategic relations and addressing pressing global challenges.
The two-day event, held from August 5 to 6, is supported by Corteva Agriscience and the Gates Foundation. It brings together more than 150 participants from around 50 countries, including current and former government officials, international experts, and business leaders.
The inaugural plenary, titled “The Blue Symphony: Knitting a New Era of Partnerships,” opened with welcome remarks by Samir Saran, President of ORF India, and Yose Rizal Damuri, Executive Director of CSIS Indonesia. This was followed by opening remarks from Sandeep Chakravorty, India’s Ambassador to Indonesia.
A key highlight of the forum is a virtual address by ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn. Other distinguished speakers include Mehdi Jomaa, Former Prime Minister of Tunisia; Victoria Panova, Head of the BRICS Expert Council and Vice Rector at HSE University; Philips J. Vermonte, Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs at the Indonesian Presidential Communication Office; Sinderpal Singh, Senior Fellow at Singapore’s Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies; Robert Kaan, Asia Pacific Director at Corteva Agriscience; and Ashok Malik, Partner and Chair of the India Practice at The Asia Group.
The forum will focus on major thematic pillars such as Sustainable Development Goals and beyond, ensuring food and health for all; maritime security and defence cooperation to promote regional stability and oceanic governance; trade, infrastructure, and connectivity to enhance regional economic ties and transport links; digital connectivity and emerging technology innovation to foster collaboration in tech and digital spaces; and climate change and energy transition to address environmental challenges through joint efforts.
JFF 2025 will also feature closed-door roundtables and studio sessions aimed at exploring sector-specific topics and emerging areas of interest. Two key publications — The Jakarta Edit 2025 and The Jakarta Review 2025 — will be launched during the event, offering new insights and forward-looking analysis from regional and international contributors.
Held against the backdrop of evolving geopolitical and economic dynamics, the forum seeks to create meaningful dialogue and foster deeper cooperation among governments, businesses, and thought leaders across the Indo-Pacific and beyond. (ANI)
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