Mari Pangestu

Mari Pangestu is one of Southeast Asia’s most respected voices on global trade, economic resilience, and inclusive development. For the past three decades, she has helped shape Indonesia’s approach to globalisation. A seasoned policymaker and economist, Pangestu has navigated multilateral trade negotiations at the WTO and helped lay the foundation for the country’s creative economy sector.

As Indonesia’s former Minister of Trade (2004–2011) and Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy (2011–2014), Mari Pangestu steered the country through complex bilateral negotiations, including ASEAN integration, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and agreements with Japan, the EU, and Australia. For her contributions, she received the Mahaputra Award, Indonesia’s highest civilian honour for public service.

During her tenure as Managing Director of Development Policy and Partnerships at the World Bank (2020–2023), Pangestu championed sustainable growth strategies and South-South cooperation. She currently serves as Special Envoy of the President for International Trade and Multilateral Cooperation and Deputy Chair of Indonesia’s National Economic Board. In her roles, Pangestu helps craft the country’s strategic response to shifting global trade dynamics including recent US tariffs and their potential ripple effects on ASEAN supply chains.

Mari Pangestu is a strategic internationalist. At forums like the World Economic Forum and Investor Daily Round Table, she consistently advocates for dialogue over retaliation, deeper regional integration, and stronger institutional frameworks to weather global economic shocks. Her push for an accelerated RCEP implementation and a diversified trade portfolio underscores her belief that economic certainty must begin at home through intra-ASEAN cooperation, regulatory reforms, and strategic diplomacy with partners like China and the EU.

Pangestu has published extensively on trade, development, and East Asian economic integration. She is a bridge between developing and developed economies and a steady advocate for a more equitable, rules-based international order.