ASEAN Secretariat Remained in Jakarta Amid Capital Move
The ASEAN Secretariat will stay in its Jakarta headquarters despite Indonesia planning to relocate its national capital.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Remote Work
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The ASEAN Secretariat confirmed it will keep its operations in Jakarta following the inauguration of its new Rp 500 billion headquarters. This decision remains firm even as the Indonesian government prepares to move its national capital to Kalimantan.
Why it matters
The organization's commitment to its current site ensures regional diplomatic stability despite Indonesia's broader plan to relocate the national capital to ease pressure on Jakarta. This separation allows the city to continue serving as a diplomatic hub while Indonesia pursues its new national development goals.
The new 16-floor ASEAN Secretariat facility sits on a 1.3-hectare plot and houses 30 meeting rooms to support diplomatic work. Currently, 74 of the 93 ambassadors accredited to ASEAN continue to reside in Jakarta.
The players
ASEAN Secretariat
This is the principal administrative body that coordinates cooperation between member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Joko Widodo
As the President of the United States of Indonesia, he announced the relocation of the national capital to Kalimantan.
The details
The decision to remain in Jakarta is anchored by the recent completion of the new Secretariat building, which began construction in 2018. While Indonesia plans to shift its national capital to North Penajam Paser and Kutai Kertanegara in Kalimantan, officials expect Jakarta to maintain its status as the nation's primary business and economic center.
Timeline
Construction on the new ASEAN Secretariat building began in 2018.
The ASEAN Secretariat building was officially inaugurated in August 2026.
Market Landscape
This move reflects a strategic decoupling of regional diplomatic infrastructure from the internal administrative shifts of host nations. By maintaining a fixed physical headquarters, the organization minimizes operational disruption while Indonesia realigns its national business and economic centers.
International stakeholders and diplomatic staff can expect continued stability in administrative operations as the Secretariat remains stationed in Jakarta. Business leaders and regional organizations should note that Jakarta will persist as the primary economic center for the country despite the upcoming capital shift.
The takeaway
Organizations should prioritize long-term infrastructure investment to ensure operational continuity during host nation political transitions. Securing a dedicated physical presence remains a key strategy for entities seeking to maintain stability in rapidly shifting economic climates.
Further reading
Learn more about the evolving nature of international hubs in our Remote Work section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Eleven Media Group Co., Ltd.
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