Jakarta. Chief Economic Affairs Minister Airlangga Hartarto recently attended the commemorative dinner of the 2024 Nikkei Forum in Tokyo.

Airlangga is attending the high-profile conference on President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s behalf. 

The two-day forum, which adopts the theme “The Future of Asia” sees attendance from regional leaders and economic experts including Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his Thai counterpart Srettha Thavisin, Singapore’s deputy prime minister Gan Kim Yong as well as his Cambodian counterpart Sun Chanthol, according to a news release issued by the Economic Affairs Coordinating Ministry. Other speakers include ASEAN’s secretary-general Kao Kim Hourn.

“In this forum, world leaders, as well as experts from the Asia-Pacific region will give their insights on regional matters and Asia’s role,” the press statement reads.

“The topics will range from the digital ecosystem and Asia’s efforts to achieve zero emission, among others.”

Airlangga flew to Tokyo right after a trip to South Korea, during which he met with the top brass of major companies LG CNS, Hyundai Motor Group, and Lotte Chemical. The LG CNS meeting zeroed in on data center investment talks, while Airlangga mainly talked about hydrogen use with Hyundai Motor Group.

The meeting with Lotte Chemical focused on the petrochemical industry. Airlangga also met with South Korean trade minister Ahn Duk Geun with both government officials discussing industrial, trade, and energy transition partnerships.

The Gyeongsang National University awarded Airlangga with honorary doctorate status in recognition of his efforts to promote bilateral ties between Indonesia and South Korea.