As strategic competition intensifies in the Indo-Pacific, Australia's strategic resilience increasingly depends on how key regional middle powers respond—none more so than Indonesia. The 2026 Jakarta Treaty underscores the growing importance of this relationship. Yet Indonesia's maritime strategy is often misunderstood. This project's research shows that, rather than being incoherent, Indonesian strategising has enabled a steady expansion of its territorial and maritime domain since 1945. Drawing on extensive fieldwork and sustained engagement with Indonesian scholars, officials, and practitioners across multiple institutions, the reports launched at this event reveal that Indonesia's strategy is identifiable, but also politically embedded and continuously negotiated. While anchored in enduring legal and historical reference points, its implementation is shaped by contestation among competing agencies. The authors introduce their key findings and explain how Indonesia approaches its maritime domain and navigates defence cooperation amid growing uncertainty. The panel discussants help explore how and why these findings matter for Australia.

Speakers

Dr Emirza Adi Syailendra
Research Fellow, Maritime Security Programme
Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University

Professor Evelyn Goh
Shedden Professor of Strategic Policy Studies
The Australian National University

Panel Discussants

EmPr Greg Fealy – Department of Political and Social Change, Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs, The Australian National University, Australia

Dr Natalie Sambhi – Founder and Executive Director of Verve Research, Australia

Dr Ristian Atriandi Supriyanto – Lecturer, Department of International Relations, University of Indonesia

Agenda
5.00-6.30pm - Panel discussion and report launch in the Jaeger Room, Shine Dome
6.30pm-onwards - Reception and networking

Additional information
Registration is required for this event. If you require accessibility accommodations or a visitor Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan please email shinedome@science.org.au. Accessible parking spaces are available around campus should you require them.

TEQSA Provider ID: PRV12002 (Australian University) | CRICOS Provider Code: 00120C

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