Abdul Kadir Jailani
Abdul Kadir Jailani | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 18, 1966 Surabaya, Indonesia |
| Occupation | Diplomat |
| Years active | 1993–present |
| Known for | Director general for Asia, Pacific, and African Affairs; Ambassador to Canada; Ambassador to Germany |
Abdul Kadir Jailani (born 18 March 1966) is an Indonesian diplomat who has held the position of director general for Asia, Pacific, and African Affairs since 2020 and assumed the role of ambassador to Germany in 2025. His previous assignments include serving as consul general in New York and ambassador to Canada.
Early life and education
Born in Surabaya on 18 March 1966, Abdul characterized his school years as unruly and academically challenging, repeating high school twice before completing five years. While he struggled with mathematics, he demonstrated strong aptitude in history and general knowledge. Encouraged by his father’s counsel to "at least earn a law degree," Abdul pursued legal studies despite lacking familial ties to the profession. His acceptance into the University of Jember came as a surprise to his instructors.
After completing four semesters at Jember, he transferred in 1988 to Airlangga University, where he earned his law degree in 1992. His focus was on international civil law, and he was actively involved in student organizations. Recognizing the importance of English for career advancement, he enhanced his language skills a year prior to graduation.
Abdul has maintained active participation in Airlangga's alumni network, running for chairman in 2021. Although initially supported by the law faculty alumni branch, the endorsement was later revoked due to concerns about coordination difficulties. Subsequently, he secured a position on the alumni board for 2025–2030, serving as chair of internationalization efforts.
During his early tenure at the foreign ministry, Abdul completed a master's degree in economic law at the University of Indonesia in 1997, concentrating on the Southeast Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty. While stationed in the Netherlands, he earned a second master’s degree in European law and policy from the University of Portsmouth in 2002. He commenced doctoral studies at the University of Indonesia in 2005 but paused them to undertake a diplomatic post in Geneva before finalizing his dissertation.
Early diplomatic career
Following his graduation and qualification for legal practice, Abdul joined the foreign ministry in March 1993. He started within the directorate handling international treaties with an emphasis on political and security issues. From 1993 until 1998, he was involved in negotiations concerning the International Criminal Court alongside various ASEAN legal matters.
From 1998 to 2001, Abdul was assigned to the embassy in The Hague, where he led the foreign political section holding the rank of third secretary. After completing his master’s studies, he returned to Indonesia to head the transnational crime and extradition law division from 2002 to 2003. In 2006, postings at Indonesia’s permanent missions to the UN in Geneva and New York followed, where he participated as part of Indonesia’s UN Security Council task force and attained counsellor rank. His responsibilities included negotiations on establishing an ASEAN nuclear-free zone and resolving the Sipadan-Ligitan territorial dispute. Abdul is recognized for challenging legal positivism by advocating for understanding law as a social construct rather than solely textual interpretation.
In 2010, he advanced to deputy director for political and security treaties based in Jakarta, managing international legal matters related to political and security domains. Two years later, he became director for economic and socio-cultural treaties, engaging in discussions over free trade agreements, investment protections, and international legal standards concerning genetic resources, traditional knowledge, and folklore. His contributions include involvement in negotiating ASEAN’s South China Sea code of conduct (2011–2012), enhancing ASEAN’s Dispute Settlement Mechanism, and working on Bilateral Comprehensive Economic Partnerships (2013–2016). From 2014 to 2016, Abdul served as vice chairman of WIPO's Intergovernmental Committee on Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore. Additionally, he played a significant role in securing the release of sixty Indonesians sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia and helped establish protections for Indonesian domestic workers there in 2014.
Consul general in New York
Abdul was designated as consul general in New York on 23 August 2016,[1] with jurisdiction over the northeastern and southeastern regions of the United States.[2] His responsibilities included addressing challenges such as Indonesian undocumented immigrants resisting deportation and managing the temporary custody of a deceased citizen’s ashes. He actively supported national economic advancement and bolstered commercial connections by organizing exhibitions and participating in events like IMEX America 2016.[3]
Ambassador to Canada
In September 2018, President Joko Widodo selected Abdul to serve as Indonesia’s ambassador to Canada, where he also represented the country at the International Civil Aviation Organization.[4] Following a successful evaluation by the House of Representatives in October,[5] he officially took office on 7 January 2019.[6] Abdul formally presented his credentials to ICAO Secretary General Fang Liu on 23 May 2019,[7] and to Governor General Julie Payette of Canada on 28 May 2019.[8] His diplomatic efforts concentrated on improving trade relations through negotiations for a free trade agreement, promoting the ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement, and introducing Canada to ASEAN’s Indo-Pacific Outlook.[9]
Director general of Asia, Pacific, and Africa
On 27 October 2020, Abdul assumed the role of director general for Asia, Pacific, and Africa within the foreign ministry, prioritizing the enhancement of bilateral partnerships with a strong focus on economic diplomacy. He reiterated Indonesia’s stance against establishing diplomatic relations with Israel despite Israel’s outreach initiatives in Southeast Asia. Amid the COVID-19 crisis, Abdul successfully secured an agreement with Japan for vaccine supplies.
Concerning AUKUS, Abdul voiced apprehension about Australia’s development of nuclear-powered submarines, highlighting that as a Non-Proliferation Treaty signatory, Australia’s move could establish a precedent encouraging less powerful nations to pursue nuclear technology. Nonetheless, he clarified this action did not breach the Southeast Asian Nuclear Weapons Free Zone and emphasized the importance of fostering trust through ongoing dialogue.
Following the Taliban’s 2021 offensive, Indonesia closed its embassy in Kabul and declined to recognize Taliban governance. Subsequently, Abdul engaged with Taliban representatives to promote peace initiatives and ensure embassy security. By December 2021, he announced intentions to reopen the embassy to support humanitarian assistance and scholarship programs. He criticized Taliban decrees restricting women’s rights as inadequate by international standards. In 2022, Abdul oversaw a $2.85 million Indonesian aid initiative aimed at empowering women and enhancing education in Afghanistan and convened an international conference focused on Afghan women’s education.
During his leadership, the directorate responsible for Central Asia and Pacific was divided into separate Central Asia and Pacific and Oceania directorates to better address internal political considerations and align with Indonesia’s policy emphasizing increased engagement in the Pacific region. In 2025, Abdul accompanied Foreign Minister Sugiono on an official visit to North Korea—the first such visit by an Indonesian foreign minister since 2013—aimed at deepening bilateral ties.
Ambassador to Germany
In July 2025, President Prabowo Subianto appointed Abdul as Indonesia's ambassador to Germany. The House of Representatives' first commission conducted a review on 5 July, and his appointment received approval three days afterward. The evaluation emphasized safeguarding Indonesian nationals, upholding Indonesia's independent and proactive foreign policy, and advancing President Prabowo's eight strategic objectives (Astacita). Abdul was officially sworn in on 25 August 2025, alongside seven fellow ambassadors.
Personal life
Abdul is married to Rahmayanti Hamid, with whom he has two sons. His interests include philosophy, swimming, and photography.