Indonesia Expat had a chance to get to know His Excellency Mr. David Jordens, who, as of August 2026, serves as the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to Indonesia, Timor-Leste, and ASEAN.
When Indonesia Expat had a sit-down with His Excellency Mr. David Jordens in early September, it had been a little over a month since he was officially appointed as the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to Indonesia, Timor-Leste, and ASEAN. This diplomatic posting marks both his first appointment as Ambassador and his first assignment in Indonesia, where he has enjoyed every moment since his arrival. The warmth of the Indonesian people and their openness to different cultures and influences have continually empowered and inspired him to do what he does as Ambassador: building bridges and developing a closer friendship between Belgium and Indonesia.
In a conversation between Indonesia Expat and His Excellency Mr. David Jordens, the latter shared, among many things, his top priority as Ambassador, how mutual respect has always become the enduring foundation of the friendship between Belgium and Indonesia, and why Belgium’s expertise in circular economy and energy-related technologies can help Indonesia achieve its vision for sustainability.
Hi, David! Let’s start with your background a bit. What can you tell us about yourself?
I originally come from a village in the northeast of Belgium, in the Flemish-speaking part, close to the Dutch border. I studied history, political science, and international relations in Leuven, Ghent, Brussels, and Barcelona. I started my career in the private sector, actually. My first job was for The Bank of New York Mellon SA NV in Brussels, but then I rather quickly realised that the public sector was more for me.
I did an internship at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. And then my first job in the public sector—my first really big job—was at the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons, followed by a stint at the Ministries of Justice and Defence. And then in 2011, I joined the Belgian Diplomatic Service. My first diplomatic post was in Australia, followed by postings in China and Burundi. And just before coming here to Indonesia, I was the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Outside of work, I like to read, cook, hike, and run. I also like music, both actively and passively. I’m a particularly big jazz fan, and I also want to go back to playing music. My piano is on the way in the container, so once it arrives at my residence in Jakarta, I will get back to it. Moreover, my wife and I have started an intensive course of Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia) as well.
I’ve gathered that not only have you effectively served as the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to Indonesia, Timor-Leste, and ASEAN since August 2026, but this is also your very first diplomatic posting as a foreign ambassador. What kind of diplomatic style can we expect from you now and going forward?
I would describe my approach as pragmatic, open, and people-oriented. My first priority, as I’ve just arrived here in Indonesia, would be to listen and learn. Indonesia is a very fascinating and incredibly diverse country, and I think it’s important to understand the dynamics, the different perspectives, and the realities here. That’s also why I want to travel as much as possible and to meet people from all walks of life: government representatives, business leaders, academics, students, artists, representatives from civil society, and definitely ordinary Indonesians. Diplomacy is ultimately about human connections, and lasting partnerships are built between people who trust and understand each other.
Economic diplomacy will be one of my priorities as well. Belgium and Indonesia already have close trade and investment links. That being said, I want to be there for the Belgian companies that are present in Indonesia, as well as the Belgian companies that are interested in investing in Indonesia. At the same time, I want our Embassy to be a welcoming point of contact for Indonesian companies that are interested in the Belgian market or Belgium as a gateway to Europe. I’m also interested in deepening our academic partnerships. I want to strengthen our ties with both the local and national government, and I want to be fully available for the Belgian community here in Indonesia as well. An ambassador should not only represent his country, but also build bridges between societies.
As the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to Indonesia, Timor-Leste, and ASEAN, what would be your top priorities at the moment—especially regarding the bilateral relationship between Belgium and Indonesia?
My first priority is to continue strengthening our economic partnership. Belgium and Indonesia already enjoy robust trade and investment ties, with Belgian companies active in sectors ranging from logistics and dredging to manufacturing, renewable energy, food processing and advanced technologies. Their presence here in Indonesia not only creates economic growth but also fosters skills development, innovation, and long-term cooperation.
My second priority is linked to that, which is to make the most of the opportunities that will arise from the EU-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU-CEPA). Once this is implemented, it has the potential to create even more business opportunities for both sides, improve market access, and encourage cooperation in areas such as innovation, resilient supply chains, and sustainable industry.
Additionally, people-to-people contacts are equally important to me. Every year, more and more Indonesian students choose Belgium for their higher education. This, of course, creates additional links between Belgium and Indonesia, but also, for most of these students, the links between our countries stay even years after their graduation. As a result, these educational exchanges create lasting friendships and help bring our countries closer together.
Beyond our bilateral relationship, I see that oftentimes, Belgium and Indonesia are on the same wavelength internationally. Both of our countries promote multilateralism. We support the upholding of international law and effective global governance. We also share an interest in tackling major challenges such as climate change, digital transformation, and sustainable development.
Furthermore, we are exploring the possibility of reopening our honorary consulate in Medan, which would further strengthen Belgium’s presence in North Sumatra and deepen our engagement with this dynamic region.
So far, what has been your impression of Indonesia and, specifically, Jakarta? What do you make of its people and culture?
My first impression has been very positive. I’ve discovered that Jakarta is a very energetic and vibrant city. There’s always something going on, whether it be in business, in sports, or in the arts. I’ve also been impressed by the city’s restaurant scene, which is clearly a reflection of Indonesia’s very diverse culinary scene, while simultaneously showcasing openness to international influences.
But to me, what stands out most about Jakarta is actually the warmth of the people. Everywhere I’ve gone, I have encountered this kindness, openness, and genuine curiosity from the people. And even though I’ve only been here for a month, I’ve already had the opportunity to travel to North Sumatra, for instance, and it was the same over there. I was welcomed with the same hospitality, the same friendliness. Such experiences confirmed what my friends who had been here told me before I arrived in Indonesia: that the Indonesian people have a remarkable talent for making visitors feel welcome.
Since the theme for our October 2026 issue is Green & Sustainability, I’d like to touch on this subject with you a little bit. Belgium has been known for consistently excelling in achieving its sustainable goals. Last year alone, the European Environment Agency noted how Belgium holds a leading position in Europe with regard to circular material use. Going forward, how will Belgium’s accomplishments and commitment to sustainability influence your diplomatic mission as the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to Indonesia, Timor-Leste, and ASEAN?
Sustainability will certainly play an important part in my mandate. Belgium has developed very useful expertise in areas such as the circular economy, renewable energy, water management, and sustainable infrastructure. But at the same time, we remain humble because sustainability is like a learning process, and every country—Belgium included, of course—can still learn a lot in that process. Therefore, what interests me most in this is creating partnerships.
Indonesia, at the moment, is pursuing an ambitious economic and energy transition. There are many areas in which both Belgium’s and Indonesia’s expertise can complement one another. Whether it concerns circular business models, clean energy, or sustainable agriculture, there is significant potential for cooperation between our two countries. But ultimately, sustainability is not only about protecting the environment, but also about creating economic opportunities. It is about improving resilience; it is about ensuring long-term prosperity. That is very much the spirit in which I hope to promote cooperation between Belgium and Indonesia.
Back in July, the Belgian Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Development Cooperation, Maxime Prévot, visited Malaysia, where he expressed Belgium’s interest in strengthening collaboration with Malaysia in offshore energy. Belgium has also become the leading expert in offshore energy, having developed offshore wind farms capable of generating two gigawatts of electricity. Can we expect a similar conversation between Belgium and Indonesia relating to energy-related collaboration in the near future? What can you tell us about it?
I think Belgium’s conversation with Malaysia regarding offshore energy, indeed, reflects Belgium’s broader interest in working with its Southeast Asian partners on the energy transition—and Indonesia is definitely part of that conversation. Belgium has a very small coastline, but despite this, we have become global leaders in offshore energy and marine engineering. It means that over the years, Belgian companies have developed expertise in not only offshore wind farms but also dredging, port management, subsea infrastructure, and energy-related technologies. And of course, cooperation with Indonesia would not be about copying the Belgian model, as Indonesia has its own geography, its own resources, and its own priorities. The real question, therefore, is how the Belgian expertise can help support Indonesia’s ambition. So actually, the objective is straightforward: to identify the areas where Indonesia’s ambitions meet Belgium’s expertise and know-how. Afterwards, together we can find a way to develop partnerships that are commercially sound, environmentally sustainable, and beneficial to both countries.
Are there any upcoming events hosted by the Embassy of Belgium in Jakarta that we can expect in this final quarter of 2026—especially events that might be of interest to the Belgians in the city?
Yes, indeed. I have recently invited all Belgians living across Indonesia for a welcome reception, which was a fantastic opportunity to meet members of the Belgian community in this country. Then, in December, we will organise Sinterklaas, which is a Belgian-Dutch traditional event taking place in Jakarta and Bali. It is a big success with Belgian families every year, especially as it is geared towards children.
At the same time, a number of more business-oriented events are currently being organised to reinforce trade and investment links between Belgium and Indonesia. Therefore, there will be plenty of opportunities for Belgians and friends of Belgium to engage with the Embassy in the months to come.
I’ve also gathered that there will be an event called “Dag van het Nederlands” (Day of the Dutch Language), which falls on the 31st of October, 2026. What can you tell us about it?
Indeed, we have some plans, and we’re very much looking forward to it. Like in previous years, together with the Embassies of the Netherlands and Suriname, we will organise the Day of the Dutch Language at Erasmus Huis in Jakarta. This event will not only highlight the Dutch language itself but also the rich cultural connections between our countries.
The preparations are still ongoing, and it’s not finalised yet. However, I can already say that for this year’s edition of Day of the Dutch Language, there will be a special emphasis on the link between fashion and language. We hope to offer the visitors an event that’s both educational and entertaining. Over the last few years, we have had a lot of students, Dutch language aficionados, and members of the public who are interested in the links between our countries, and I hope we can build on that success again this year.
The official diplomatic relationship between Belgium and Indonesia began in 1949, which means that this particular bond has endured for more than seven decades now. Also, looking at our history, a Belgian consulate had already existed in then-Batavia back in 1855. Furthermore, Belgium is the first European country to have an Indonesia-themed park called “The Kingdom of Ganesha”. From your perspective, what is the key behind such an enduring bond? And how do you see this bond between Belgium and Indonesia going forward?
I believe that the strength of our relationship lies in the fact that it has always been built on mutual respect and a genuine desire to work together. The roots of our friendship go back a long time. For instance, Belgium played a prominent and constructive role in the period leading up to Indonesia’s independence. Then, over the decades, trade missions, cultural exchanges, and high-level visits have deepened that relationship. Another example is the Europalia Indonesia Arts Festival, which showcased Indonesia’s rich cultural heritage to audiences across Belgium and Europe. On top of that, growing educational exchanges and increasing economic cooperation have brought our countries even closer together.
Looking forward to the future, I see tremendous potential. Indonesia is one of the world’s most dynamic countries, and it will play a growing and more important role globally. Belgium very much wants to be a part of Indonesia’s journey. I also think that future cooperation will focus on areas like innovation, education, sustainable industry, clean energy, logistics, and digital technologies.
As an additional note, we are preparing to move into a new embassy building. The Embassy’s relocation to a new building demonstrates Belgium’s long-term commitment to both Indonesia and the wider ASEAN region. Last but not least, a possible state visit by Their Majesties King Philippe and Queen Mathilde at the end of next year would be a truly historic moment, as it has been more than 50 years since the last Belgian State Visit to Indonesia. I think it would be a powerful signal about the depth of our relationship and our shared confidence in the future.
Last but not least, how can our readers get in touch with you and the Embassy of Belgium in Jakarta?
The Embassy of Belgium in Jakarta will move to its new address in the first trimester of next year, so for the moment, the Embassy is still located in the Deutsche Bank Building at Jl. Imam Bonjol No. 80, Menteng, Central Jakarta. Once we officially relocate, we will announce the new address via our communication channels.
I would also like to encourage everyone—including the Belgian community in Indonesia—to follow us on our social media because we will give regular updates on events, education opportunities, economic initiatives, and cultural programmes. You can find us on Facebook and LinkedIn with the page name Embassy of Belgium in Jakarta and @belgiuminindonesia on Instagram. You can also check out our activities and public services on our official website https://indonesia.diplomatie.belgium.be.
For Belgians in Jakarta or across Indonesia who have inquiries or questions for us, you can send us an email to jakarta@diplobel.fed.be.