Written by: Naura Salsabila Giasi & Nisyla Annisa Indrajaya
External Events Division – FPCI Chapter UI Board of 2025
On the 18th of November 2025, members of FPCI Chapter Universitas Indonesia visited the Embassy of Switzerland in Jakarta for the FPCI Chapter UI Tea Time with Ambassador (TTWA) #2 2025 event.
About the Tea Time with Ambassador Program
FPCI Chapter UI Tea Time with Ambassador is an annual work program organized by the External Events Division of FPCI Chapter UI. This event provides an opportunity for FPCI Chapter UI members to visit embassy offices and engage in direct discussions with ambassadors from various countries. Participants are invited to explore the ambassador’s perspectives on their country’s foreign policy in addressing global strategic issues. This year, the program highlights the bilateral relations and mutual cooperation between partner countries and the Republic of Indonesia.
In this edition, FPCI Chapter UI had the honor of visiting the Embassy of Switzerland, where the Swiss Ambassador to Indonesia shared valuable insights on Switzerland’s foreign policy priorities, its approach to global challenges, and the growing cooperation between Switzerland and Indonesia, particularly in the field of advancing green energy.
What Happened at TTWA #2 2025?
FPCI Chapter UI Tea Time with Ambassador #2 2025 visited the Embassy of Switzerland and held a themed discussion on “Energizing Tomorrow: Advancing Green Energy Through Indonesia-Switzerland Cooperation for 2050” and marking the 74-year diplomatic ties between Switzerland and Indonesia. The event featured a talk show with H.E. Mr. Olivier Zehnder, the Ambassador of Switzerland to Indonesia, Timor-Leste and ASEAN, who shared insights on Switzerland’s renewable energy policies, vocational training cooperation, and bilateral partnerships aimed at supporting Indonesia’s energy transition and climate goals. The session was interactive, featuring a Q&A, an awarding ceremony, and a trivia game about Switzerland, fostering a dynamic engagement between the Ambassador and participants in advancing sustainable energy cooperation.
What Insights Did the Discussion Yield?
Moderated by Muhammad Rizki Naufal as the President of FPCI Chapter UI Board of 2025, the discussion arose on the basis of the following talking points:
1. Historical and Strategic Partnership
Indonesia and Switzerland have maintained diplomatic relations since November 2, 1951, marking more than 70 years of collaboration rooted in mutual respect and shared interests. The partnership extends beyond diplomacy to strong economic ties, with Switzerland being one of Indonesia’s top European investors and Indonesia a priority country in Swiss development cooperation. Their cooperation spans critical sectors, including trade, investment, renewable energy, human capital development, as well as sustainable urban and disaster management. Notably, agreements like the Indonesia-European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IE-CEPA) and the bilateral investment treaty (BIT) have further strengthened this multifaceted relationship. The ongoing partnership reflects both countries’ commitment to sustainable development, inclusive prosperity, and innovation, leveraging Switzerland’s expertise and resources to support Indonesia’s national goals while fostering regional stability and global climate action.
2. Indonesia–Switzerland collaboration in advancing Indonesia’s energy transition
The discussion also explored the forms of cooperation undertaken between Indonesia and Switzerland in advancing technology transfer and capacity building within the fields of solar and hydropower development. Ambassador Olivier Zehnder emphasized that renewable energy and vocational training have become integral components of the bilateral relationship, as exemplified by the Renewable Energy Skills Development (RESD) program, now in its fourth year. Supported by the Swiss government, this initiative collaborates closely with Indonesian polytechnics specializing in solar PV, hydropower, and battery technologies, ensuring that curriculum and training standards are continually updated to meet evolving industry requirements. A key aspect of this cooperation is the emphasis on strengthening human resources through opportunities for higher education pathways and joint research collaborations between Indonesian polytechnics and Swiss universities of applied sciences, thereby nurturing a workforce equipped with advanced technical competencies.
In addition, the Ambassador underscored the essential role of private-sector participation, facilitated through organizations such as SwissCham Indonesia and the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN). Their involvement supports the improvement of vocational training quality and fosters stronger connections between academic institutions and industry actors. Ambassador Zehnder expressed Switzerland’s continued commitment to enhancing Indonesia’s renewable energy capabilities, noting that the development of local expertise in solar and hydropower technologies will naturally expand future avenues for cooperation between the two countries.
3. Aligning Indonesia-Switzerland partnership into the global framework for a sustainable future by 2050
The Ambassador emphasized that Indonesia and Switzerland have a long-standing and strategic partnership in renewable energy, particularly in hydropower and solar development, and this cooperation can be expanded to support both countries’ climate commitments. Switzerland is actively increasing its share of renewable energy and aims to strengthen international alliances, including through carbon credit trading and carbon offset mechanisms, to contribute to global emissions reductions. Furthermore, the Ambassador highlighted Switzerland’s continued support for Indonesia through infrastructure development projects and renewable energy initiatives. Academic institutions, such as Universitas Indonesia, play a crucial role in facilitating knowledge exchange, research collaboration, and capacity building, aligning with Switzerland’s climate objectives. The Ambassador further noted that both countries can strengthen their collaboration through sustainable infrastructure financing, technical exchanges between Swiss industry associations and Indonesia’s electricity sector, and joint initiatives to accelerate the deployment of clean energy. These efforts support Indonesia’s national renewable energy targets of 23% by 2025 and 31% by 2050, alongside Switzerland’s commitment to reducing dependence on fossil fuels. By combining Switzerland’s experience in clean technology with Indonesia’s expanding commitments to hydropower and solar development, this partnership can accelerate clean energy transitions and make a significant contribution to the global net-zero emissions goal by 2050. By combining these strengths, the collaboration also stimulates innovation, supports job creation, and promotes environmental sustainability, reinforcing climate resilience and the growth of green economies in both nations.
Conclusion
In today’s discussion, the Swiss Ambassador to Indonesia has emphasized that long-term progress in renewable energy relies on strategic cooperation, technological innovation, and strong human-capital development. Switzerland’s experience in clean technology combined with Indonesia’s growing ambitions in hydropower and solar energy illustrates how joint initiatives ranging from vocational training to infrastructure investment can support both countries in meeting their climate commitments. The Ambassador also further highlights that expanding collaboration through sustainable infrastructure financing, technical exchanges, and carbon credit mechanisms will be essential in accelerating each nation’s clean energy transition. By combining these complementary strengths, the partnership not only advances national renewable energy targets but also contributes to global net-zero targets by 2050. Ultimately, the Ambassador underscored that continued cooperation will foster innovation, strengthen climate resilience, and promote the development of greener, more sustainable economies in both countries.