The latest collaboration between the UK and Indonesia highlights their shared commitment to improving regulatory governance and supporting stronger economic outcomes through the adoption of Regulatory Impact Assessment.
Indonesia and the UK have advanced their joint agenda for evidence-based regulation with targeted efforts to strengthen Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) across Indonesian ministries. Their partnership is designed to improve policy quality, reinforce transparent governance, and support Indonesia’s ambition to align with international standards during its OECD accession process.
Introduction
Indonesia and the UK have deepened cooperation on regulatory governance by expanding the implementation of Regulatory Impact Assessment. The two countries met in Jakarta during the RIA Forum 2025 to discuss how structured policy evaluation can support economic growth, improve public services, and prepare Indonesia for OECD readiness.
Strengthening Regulatory Governance in Indonesia
Indonesia’s economy has demonstrated steady resilience, growing at around five per cent despite global pressures. This performance has been supported by domestic consumption, expanding exports, and sustained investment. As the government looks to maintain this trajectory, it is placing greater emphasis on regulatory improvements that ensure each policy is well designed and based on reliable evidence.
Regulatory Impact Assessment has become a core part of this effort. The process guides policymakers in examining economic, social, and environmental effects before regulations are introduced. It also promotes clear reasoning and public transparency, allowing ministries to identify the most workable and efficient options.
During recent discussions, Expert Staff for Productivity and Economic Competitiveness Development, Evita Manthovani, explained that RIA is increasingly relevant both domestically and internationally. She said:
“RIA implementation is not merely a domestic agenda; it also carries strong international relevance. In Indonesia’s accession process towards OECD membership, the application of GRP, including RIA, serves as one of the indicators of our readiness to align with countries that uphold the highest governance standards. In other words, adopting RIA not only reinforces national policy but also paves the way for Indonesia’s integration into a more transparent and competitive global economic order.”
Insights from the RIA Forum 2025
The RIA Forum 2025 took place in Jakarta on 12 November and brought together Indonesian policymakers and UK counterparts for a series of discussions on strengthening evidence-based regulation. The session focused on how ministries can adopt practical thresholds to determine when policies require deeper assessment due to their wider economic effects.
Officials highlighted that the forum’s purpose extends beyond technical policy evaluation. It also serves to support long-term cooperation between the UK and Indonesia as both countries work to expand shared understanding of regulatory practices and build institutional capacity.
UK–Indonesia Collaboration in Practice
The partnership between the two countries includes a range of initiatives aimed at improving regulatory capabilities. The ASEAN–UK programme places additional focus on digitalisation as a driver of economic growth, with support measures benefiting micro, small, and medium enterprises and women entrepreneurs.
The forum also featured contributions from senior experts within Indonesia’s Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs. Speakers, including members of the Assistance Team, discussed how improved collaboration can accelerate policy evaluation processes and create more structured approaches across ministries.
UK Ambassador to ASEAN, Helen Fazey, said:
“Through the ASEAN–UK Economic Integration Programme, the UK Government continues to strengthen its partnership with ASEAN member states, including Indonesia, in building capacity for evidence-based policy and regulation.
We welcome the convening of the RIA Forum 2025 as a concrete example of UK–Indonesia cooperation in promoting transparent, accountable, and results-oriented regulatory practices. This initiative reflects our shared commitment to creating a policy environment that supports sustainable and inclusive economic growth.”
Overview of areas supported through the ASEAN–UK partnership
Activity areas aligned with the cooperation span several themes, reflecting the broader economic priorities of both sides.
Centre-supported activity areas
| The Focus | Description |
|---|---|
| Regulatory reform | Efforts to strengthen the clarity and quality of governance frameworks |
| Open trade | Support for transparent and accessible trading environments |
| Inclusive financial services | Initiatives that widen financial access and improve business participation |
Capacity Building and Policy Learning
Expert Staff Evita expressed appreciation for the UK’s role in helping strengthen Indonesia’s regulatory institutions. She emphasised that international collaboration encourages policy learning, allowing both sides to draw upon shared experiences and adapt practices that produce effective results.
She added that discussions from the forum are expected to contribute directly to improvements in Indonesia’s RIA guidelines. These include defining clearer thresholds for economic impact, improving consistency across agencies, and supporting the integration of RIA into day-to-day policymaking.
Impact on Indonesia’s Long-Term Development
Greater use of RIA is expected to support Indonesia’s goals for sustainable growth by ensuring regulations are aligned with the needs of communities and businesses. This approach also helps refine economic planning by providing clarity for investors and reducing complexity in regulatory processes.
As Indonesia works toward OECD readiness, these reforms highlight its commitment to transparent and predictable governance. The UK’s continued support reinforces shared objectives for economic cooperation and improved policymaking standards across the region.
To Sum Up
Discussions held during the RIA Forum 2025 reflect a wider shift toward evidence-based regulation in Indonesia. The partnership with the UK is expected to continue expanding, especially as both countries recognise the value of using structured assessment tools to support modern governance.
Through ongoing cooperation, the UK and Indonesia aim to strengthen public trust, improve regulatory outcomes, and support growth that is both inclusive and sustainable.
Sources: UK Mission to ASEAN.
Prepared by Ivan Alexander Golden, Founder of THX News™, an independent news organisation delivering timely insights from global official sources. Combines AI-analysed research with human-edited accuracy and context.
