Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs David van Weel completed a two-day official visit to Indonesia on October 2025, engaging in high-level meetings and cultural exchanges that underscored the deep and evolving partnership between the two nations.

Day One: Diplomatic Engagements and Educational Partnerships

Minister van Weel's visit began on 9 October with a series of meetings at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he met with his counterpart, Minister Sugiono, to discuss both multilateral and bilateral cooperation initiatives.

The Dutch minister also held talks with ASEAN Secretary-General H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, reaffirming the Netherlands' commitment to its Development Partnership with ASEAN on critical issues including law of the sea and regional security.

Cultural diplomacy featured prominently in the day's agenda. At the National Monument and the National Museum of Indonesia, Minister van Weel met with Indonesian Minister of Culture Fadli Zon to discuss the deepening collaboration between the two countries in cultural heritage and scientific research.

The minister also met with Indonesian Minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra at the Coordinating Ministry for Legal, Human Rights, Immigration and Corrections to discuss ongoing cooperation in legal matters.

The first day concluded with a speech at the closing ceremony of the Week of Indonesia-Netherlands Education and Research. There, Minister van Weel highlighted the robust partnership in higher education and science between the two countries and officially launched the Oranye Alumni Network for Indonesian graduates of Dutch educational institutions, designed to strengthen people-to-people connections.

The minister also met with the Dutch Embassy team in Jakarta earlier in the day.

Day Two: Remembrance and Future Collaboration

The second day of the visit balanced historical reflection with forward-looking partnerships. Minister van Weel began by paying his respects at Ereveld Menteng Pulo, honoring those who lost their lives during the Second World War in Asia.

The minister then visited the port area in Jakarta, meeting with Dutch companies to discuss cooperation on coastal protection, port development, and maritime resilience, areas where Dutch expertise is widely recognized.

Later, at the Erasmus Huis cultural center, Minister van Weel delivered a lecture and participated in a question-and-answer session with students from FPCI and several universities. The discussion covered themes of multilateralism, geopolitics, and the importance of international cooperation in contemporary global affairs. During this visit, he also toured the ongoing "Beyond Unsettled Pasts" exhibition.

The visit highlighted the multifaceted nature of Dutch-Indonesian relations, spanning diplomatic cooperation, economic partnerships, educational exchanges, and cultural collaboration, while acknowledging the complex shared history between the two nations.