H.E. Abdul Kadir Jailani began his tenure as Indonesian Ambassador to Germany on August 25, 2025. President Prabowo Subianto of Indonesia installed him alongside seven other envoys that day. His nomination had passed the House of Representatives’ scrutiny in July, appreciating his plans for citizen welfare and a free and active approach to diplomacy.
He took over from Arief Havas Oegroseno, whose term ended in December 2024. Jailani brings decades of diplomatic service to Berlin. His career began in 1993, and his roles have ranged from negotiating the ASEAN nuclear-free zone to representing Indonesia at the International Criminal Court talks. He served in political posts at Indonesia’s Permanent Missions in The Hague, Geneva and New York, rising from third secretary to counsellor while handling disputes like Sipadan-Ligitan.
In Washington, he led Indonesia’s consulate general in New York from 2016 to 2019. He guided Indonesian immigration cases and boosted economic ties through exhibitions like IMEX America. President Widodo tapped him as ambassador to Canada in January 2019, where he also spoke for Indonesia at ICAO and pursued ASEAN-Canada trade deals.
In 2020, he became director general for Asia, Pacific and African affairs at the Indonesian foreign ministry. He took on broad diplomatic responsibilities and spoke for Indonesia in sensitive international settings. In one such instance, he joined China-Indonesia foreign-policy talks in Xiamen and pushed for stronger coordination.
His appointment to Germany suggests continued confidence in his diplomatic judgement. Germany handles trade, security, climate and development relations that align with Indonesia’s global outlook.
On a personal note, Jailani hails from Surabaya. He studied law at Jember University, then Airlangga, and the University of Indonesia before earning a European law degree from the University of Portsmouth. He calls reading, swimming, and photography his own interests. He also presses forward despite early struggles, repeating years in school before he found his stride, inspired by his father’s encouragement to aim for the legal profession.
His story reveals persistence and a broad view. It aligns with Indonesia’s practice of assigning experienced diplomatic professionals to key posts, including Germany’s. The embassy in Berlin sits on Clara-Wieck-Straße, supported by consulates in Frankfurt and Hamburg.
In Germany, Abdul Kadir Jailani will manage trade, promote science and education exchange, and assist Indonesians abroad. His legal background and long service offer practical knowledge and steady guidance. At this moment, he fronts a fresh chapter in Indonesia–Germany ties, with nuance and focus
