The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), through the Foreign Policy Strategy Agency (BSKLN), in collaboration with the Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia (UIII), hosted the 7th World Indonesianists Congress (KIS) on 12–13 November 2025 at the UIII campus in Depok.

This forum serves as a prestigious gathering for Indonesianists—academics, researchers, and professionals from around the world—who dedicate their work to understanding Indonesia. This year, 16 Indonesianists from 10 countries convened to discuss contemporary political, economic, and sociocultural issues from a global perspective.

Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, His Excellency Arrmanatha Christiawan Nasir, officially opened the congress. He emphasized the importance of reviving the Bandung Spirit amid today’s uncertain global landscape.

“Friends of Indonesia, wherever you are in the world today, images of conflicts, rivalry, and uncertainty dominate our screens. We see wars, widening inequalities, and an erosion of trust among nations. Multilateralism is in retreat, and protectionism often gives way to self-interest,” said Vice Minister Arrmanatha.

“Only strong, united nations, as well as genuine international cooperation, can still ensure justice and peace. It is our collective responsibility to revive the spirit of solidarity and shared responsibility in the pursuit of peace and development. The Bandung Spirit—born out of the 1955 Asia-Africa Conference—continues to inspire the Global South, representing the voice of the marginalized. Guided by this spirit, we can forge a more equitable and inclusive world order.”

BSKLN Head Muhammad Takdir noted the importance of the insights generated over the years. “The insights we gained from the six previous congresses have helped Indonesia understand how the world perceives us, while also providing constructive reflection to enrich our foreign policy,” he said.

Under the theme “Reviving Bandung Spirit: Boosting South-South Cooperation Toward a More Prosperous and Stable World Order,” the 7th KIS reaffirmed Indonesia’s role in fostering solidarity among developing nations.

The Bandung Spirit—rooted in the historic 1955 Asian-African Conference—remains a guide for promoting global justice and equality, as well as strengthening South–South cooperation. In an era of shifting geopolitical and economic dynamics, the theme highlights the continued relevance of Indonesian diplomacy in building a more stable, inclusive, and prosperous world.

Gita L. Murti, Head of the Center for Special Issues Strategy and Data Analysis at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasized the enduring value of Bandung’s principles. “The Bandung Spirit is not just a historical memory; it is a living framework that guides nations to collaborate in building inclusive development pathways,” she said.

Strengthening Partnerships for the Future

The congress opened with the signing of a Memorandum of Commitment between BSKLN–MoFA and UIII’s Faculty of Social Sciences, covering cooperation in education, research, community engagement, and other strategic initiatives.

Dean of UIII’s Faculty of Social Sciences, Dr. Philips Vermonte, highlighted UIII’s strategic role as co-host. “FOSS UIII has a strong focus on Global South studies, with students representing countries across Asia and Africa. This places us in an ideal position to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Bandung Conference,” he said.

He added that UIII was designed as a “diplomatic campus”—an academic institution with a diplomatic mission to expand Indonesia’s global engagement.

UIII Rector, Prof. Jamhari Makruf, underscored that the congress aligns with the university’s intellectual and diplomatic mandate. UIII, he explained, was founded with a bold vision: to serve as a global dialogue space connecting Indonesia with the world through knowledge.

“The Bandung Spirit teaches us that solidarity and the courage to think critically are the foundations of the Global South’s future. Through WIC 2025, we want to ensure that Indonesia is not only an object of study but also an active voice shaping global conversations.”

Expanding the Global Indonesianist Network

Since its inception in 2018, KIS has drawn academics, journalists, educators, and creative professionals from across the globe. Beyond expanding global understanding of Indonesia, the forum has produced strategic ideas that contribute to national development.

A major achievement of the initiative is the creation of the Global Indonesianist Network (GIN)—a digital platform launched in 2024. GIN now maps nearly 500 Indonesianists worldwide, building a collaborative ecosystem for academics, researchers, and policymakers both inside and outside Indonesia. The platform can be accessed here: https://globalindonesianist.com/

By reviving the Bandung values, WIC 2025 reaffirms Indonesia’s commitment to strengthening South–South cooperation. The congress also underscores Indonesia’s determination to work collectively with fellow Global South nations to shape a world order that is more just, inclusive, and stable.