As said on the website oecd.org, the OECD is an international organization that seeks to build better policies for a better life. The organization aims to shape policies that promote prosperity, equality, opportunity, and well-being for all.
According to President Joko Widodo, becoming a member of the OECD is a significant step for Indonesia to access more global investment and international financial resources. In addition, membership in the OECD will help Indonesia avoid the middle-income trap. Indonesia's joining the OECD is also expected to encourage Indonesia's transition into a developed country.
Indonesia has been a Major Partner country of the OECD since 2007. Even a Joint Work Program has been developed with Indonesia since 2014. On February 20, 2024, the OECD Council decided to open discussions on the accession of Indonesia, the first Southeast Asian candidate, to OECD membership. The Accession Roadmap for Indonesia was adopted on March 29, 2024.
While founded by developed countries, the OECD now has members from developing countries. However, the requirements to become a member are uneasy. One of the requirements that Indonesia must meet to become an OECD member is an average income per capita of US$10,000. Meanwhile, Indonesia's average per capita income remains at US$5,500 as of 2024. Whether Indonesia will be like South Korea and Japan, which took 10 years from accession discussions opening to becoming full members, remains to be seen.
Hopefully, Indonesia's membership in the OECD will be able to support reforms towards the Golden Indonesia 2045 ideal to become a developed country, which, of course, will lead to the welfare of all Indonesian people.