Ambassador Mario Ignacio Artaza has been the Ambassador of Chile to Indonesia since December 2023 and has devoted over thirty years to diplomatic and public service for his nation. The primary Chilean to graduate from the Georgetown Preparatory College in america, he later pursued journalism on the Pontifical Catholic College of Chile. He specialised in Worldwide Relations by means of postgraduate research in Austria, Chile, and Singapore. Transitioning into diplomacy after working as a journalist for the Chilean newspaper El Mercurio de Valparaíso, Ambassador Artaza served in numerous key roles throughout the Chilean Overseas Service. Notable appointments embody Director (Program) on the APEC Secretariat in Singapore, as Commerce Commissioner in Beijing (negotiating the Chile-China Free Commerce Settlement), Consul Normal in Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR (overseeing the Chile-Hong Kong, China Free Commerce Settlement), and Consul Normal in New York. Ambassador Artaza’s contributions to Chile’s worldwide commerce community are vital, having performed roles in negotiating main commerce agreements for Chile, together with these with Canada, China, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Vietnam and the Complete and Progressive Settlement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Past his diplomatic endeavors, Ambassador Artaza has additionally taught worldwide negotiation programs at universities in Chile and in China, and lately a first-class on the Mid-Stage Coaching Middle for Indonesian diplomats, in Jakarta. Throughout a depart of absence, he served because the Chief Consultant of Banco Safety’s Hong Kong Consultant Workplace, contributing to the financial institution’s strategic imaginative and prescient in China and the area. He has additionally held management positions in chambers of commerce and monetary establishments, strengthening financial ties between Chile and China.

The place do you see essentially the most thrilling debates taking place in your discipline?

The continued geostrategic competitors between the U.S. and China in a number of worldwide domains is a actuality that no person in my line of labor can discard when endeavor an in-depth evaluation of the present and future state of the world. There are new alliances in safety taking form, similar to AUKUS, the Quad, and new blocs evolving, similar to BRICS, amongst others. Looking for a steadiness is key. Chile is a tri-continental nation. We’re a nation within the Americas, Oceania, and Antarctica. Chile is strategically positioned within the southwest nook of the American continent, with an vital waterway, the Strait of Magellan, and we’re the closest nation to Antarctica, which is part of Chile. We’ve got one of many world’s largest maritime areas of duty throughout the Pacific Ocean. We’re a rustic which determined many years in the past to open to the world with minerals, fruits, wines, salmon, and trout, together with quite a few companies, making a real influence in markets overseas. The standard and traceability of Chilean meals is acknowledged all through the world. Chilean innovators and entrepreneurs are making a optimistic mark on the planet´s best markets. 

Chile depends on delivery billions of {dollars} of merchandise by air and by sea to extremely aggressive world markets; thus, maritime and air safety are elementary to us. Our curiosity can be positioned on an array of crucial areas, together with infrastructure growth, seamless connectivity, environment friendly funding methods, migration patterns, local weather change mitigation, ocean conservation, meals safety, water entry, and ongoing challenges in world commerce, similar to digital commerce. Moreover, the power transition, embracing photo voltaic and wind energy, and adopting electrical automobiles for public transportation are additionally inside our priorities. The world´s views on science and know-how prolong past acquainted realms like ChatGPT, encompassing the broad spectrum of Synthetic Intelligence (AI) functions. We should be attuned to geopolitical shifts, evident in elevated navy expenditures in lots of components of Asia and a burgeoning area race. Schooling is one other cornerstone of our work, emphasizing a world perspective, and we champion the inclusion of many extra girls in diplomacy, enterprise, and entrepreneurship. Just a few days in the past in Jakarta, we organized the primary assembly of girls in diplomacy in Indonesia, with the presence of Minister Retno L.P. Marsudi. 

Reflecting on Chile’s position in Asia, Chile is a rustic whose flag was proven within the waters and ports of the continent just some years after we declared our independence. Individuals to folks diplomacy has caused stronger, extra complete relationships. What occurs at the moment in Asia is vital to Chile´s current and future. Chile stands first for peace, stability, dialogue and cooperation amidst any menace to safety within the Asian area. To navigate challenges successfully, a complete method guided by strategic foresight is important for anticipating various eventualities and mitigating dangers. Chile has distinguished itself as one of many world’s most interconnected nations, with new fiber optic hyperlinks and an in depth community of free commerce agreements. There may be vital presence of Chileans overseas, numbering over one million people engaged in numerous capacities. This actuality underscores the burden of our tasks, for instance, in our consular work. Contemplating the variety of challenges in at the moment´s world international coverage agenda, Chile´s voice within the worldwide stage is extra pertinent than ever to interact and make significant contributions, reinforcing multilateralism. 

How has the best way you perceive the world modified over time, and what (or who) prompted essentially the most vital shifts in your considering?

Like lots of my technology, my understanding of the world has advanced considerably because of elevated journey alternatives and entry to world information media feeds. These have broadened our views on native and worldwide occasions, with real-time on-line print media permitting us to fact-check and discover numerous viewpoints. Communication and connectivity, fueled by developments within the airline trade, improved airports, and the World Broad Net, have performed pivotal roles in enhancing our comprehension of worldwide affairs. This by no means stops being spectacular and helpful to me. 

On this sense, in comparison with different international locations in Latin America, Chile does stand out for its excessive cell phone possession, lively on-line communication, and social media engagement. Whereas globalization presents challenges, such because the inundation of misinformation and disinformation, the Web and social media have additionally empowered us to view the world from various angles and keep up to date with information from throughout the globe. Connectivity is vital. For many who are fluent in Spanish, I like to recommend studying Hiperconectados, authored by my former journalist classmate and present professor of communication at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Eduardo Arriagada, because it delves deeper into these themes of connectivity and their influence on trendy society.

What led you to decide on a diplomatic profession within the early nineties?

I wished to serve my nation—it was so simple as that. I like and am keen about Chile. I wished to contribute by means of my abilities and work. Regardless of spending over three many years away from my homeland, there’s a profound feeling once you sit behind a microphone amongst delegates from numerous nations, with the Chilean nameplate earlier than you, and also you increase your hand to handle the room. It’s not simply you talking; you’re representing your nation. This sense of honor and objective continues to inspire me at the moment. That is one thing I’ve tried to instill in my household and colleagues.

Serving my nation additionally pushed me to use to grow to be a Naval Reserve Officer within the Chilean Navy in 2010 as a part of the “Compañía de la Reserva Naval Yates.” At any time when I’m on trip, I try to journey again to Chile and embark on board to satisfy my duties and tasks as a Naval Reserve Officer. Within the Chilean Navy, I’ve had the chance to function a part of a delegation throughout PANAMAX workout routines in Fort San Houston, in Texas, in addition to in UNITAS, on board the Ocean Patrol Vessel “Odger,” based mostly in Iquique, a metropolis positioned within the north of Chile. I’ve additionally had the privilege to sail on a historic vessel in Chile referred to as “Esmeralda,” crossing the Equator on path to Singapore and coming into the ports of Shanghai, China, and Pusan, Korea. Final 12 months, I fulfilled my duties within the Chilean Navy on board the Patrol Vessel “Piloto Sibbald,” based mostly in Puerto Williams, positioned within the excessive south of Chile—close to to the Strait of Magellan. I’m motivated to the max in the case of my nation. I’m ever so grateful that my household understands when I’m typically not capable of be house for particular events because of my tasks.

What private {and professional} insights have you ever gained out of your numerous diplomatic appointments in Asia?

I consider that essentially the most highly effective lesson discovered throughout my travels and years within the discipline as a Chilean profession diplomat in Asia, is that we’re all human beings. What do I imply by this? All of us share emotions, wants, and aspirations, similar to peace and concord. After all, we might perceive conditions and occurrences taking place round us in a different way. We might, at instances, have hassle speaking and understanding one another because of cultural and language obstacles. Nonetheless, we wish to attain a typical understanding for the betterment of our folks. We are able to obtain extra extraordinary issues by means of clear and frank communication amongst international locations. Dialogue is a should. And it´s not at all times straightforward to seek out widespread floor simply by means of e-mails. Nose to nose is at all times higher.

Once I mirror on my profession and studying course of, I’m grateful to mentors and colleagues similar to Alejandro Jara, Pablo Cabrera, Mario Matus, Andrés Rebolledo, Ricardo Lagos Weber, in addition to former president of Chile, Ricardo Lagos Escobar, with whom I had the privilege to work with and study from whereas negotiating the Chile-China Free Commerce Settlement and through my years in APEC. I additionally acknowledge Ana Novik, through the Chile-Hong Kong Free Commerce Settlement, for permitting me to debate, interpret, and talk the important thing messages and targets of our positions to our companions. Belief, transparency, accountability, and successfully managing expectations on the bottom made attaining these agreements in document time and seeing the long-term advantages for Chile attainable. Our skilled staff in Santiago swiftly addressed challenges and choices, making certain clear communication with negotiators and our companions. In diplomacy, communication and expertise are paramount. Their absence can result in critical fears and misunderstandings.

In line with IMF forecasts, China, the U.S., India, and Indonesia—the place you at present function ambassador of Chile—are projected to contribute greater than half of the world’s financial progress over the following 5 years. How is Chile’s international coverage making ready to leverage this development?

Chile persistently makes its mark in Asia. We’re by far not a latest arrival to the area. And no, I don’t suppose that Chile is a small nation. We punch manner above our weight and have considerably contributed to the multilateral and the bilateral enviornment. Chile’s first business and consular workplace in China was established in Canton (at the moment Guangzhou) in 1845. The primary business vessel to reach within the Asian waters from Valparaiso was just some years after Chile gained independence. Pablo Neruda—a worldwide recognized Chilean poet—served as Consul of Chile in Colombo, Yangon, Singapore, and Batavia—recognized at the moment as Jakarta. The primary Latin American naval coaching vessel to go to Asian ports was the “Normal Baquedano” in 1900. We’ve got a protracted and optimistic story with Asia, with Free Commerce Agreements signed and in power with many Asian companions. We had been the primary South American financial system to affix APEC in 1994 in Bogor, Indonesia. We additionally accomplice with Asian navies in among the most intensive maritime workout routines, similar to RIMPAC. Funding from Asia contributes to Chile´s welfare and growth.

In Indonesia’s case, it’s the largest financial system in ASEAN, and the group’s secretariat is in Jakarta. This 12 months marks the fifth anniversary of Chile turning into a Improvement Associate of ASEAN, a grouping comprised of 10 Southeast Asian nations. We’re additionally main the Pacific Alliance’s work with ASEAN this 12 months. We acknowledge the significance of Indonesia, a democracy which has over 270 million inhabitants and 17 thousand islands strategically positioned and is likely one of the world’s largest democracies. Some points related to the Chilean-Indonesian relationship are power transition, Inexperienced Hydrogen, meals safety, local weather change, safeguarding and defending our oceans, and better participation and alternatives for ladies in finance and enterprise. We’re additionally reaching out to youthful generations, as nearly 50% of Indonesia’s residents are youthful than 40. A faculty in Jakarta bears the identify “República de Chile.” Should you want to be an lively a part of the neighborhood right here in Indonesia, you could take possession of these initiatives to get folks to know you and respect you. We’re lively as an embassy in that college. We additionally transmit the wealthy maritime historical past between Chile and Indonesia on the Bahari Museum. In my opinion, diplomacy in Asia requires one to be continually lively, monitoring and evaluating the following steps as we meet objectives and deal with challenges. Asia is important to Chile’s current and future. Simply look exterior any window and rely the variety of completely different Chinese language model vehicles you see circulating in Santiago.

In 2014, you took a depart of absence to guide a famend international financial institution’s consultant workplace in Hong Kong. How did this expertise within the personal sector improve your experience in Asia and inform your method to public and diplomatic affairs?

As I’ve persistently communicated to my friends and superiors, I firmly advocate that the Chilean Overseas Service ought to undertake a observe widespread in lots of developed international locations’ international companies. This observe includes permitting professionals to quickly work in different ministries, regional governments inside Chile, worldwide officer roles, and even in chambers of commerce or multinational firms for a minimal interval of 1 12 months. Such alternatives would allow people to contribute to the internationalization efforts of those entities whereas immersing themselves in various cultural attributes. Personally, my tenure of three years at Banco Safety in Hong Kong has considerably enhanced my skilled capabilities and management expertise. This expertise has made me extra aggressive in a optimistic sense, equipping me with a broader vary of talent units and administration experiences which have fostered private progress and allowed me to make significant contributions as a staff member. Moreover, my time within the personal sector inside a global context has supplied me with invaluable instruments to advertise Chile in more and more aggressive fields, increasing my community and information base, that are essential belongings in my position as a profession diplomat. The symbiotic relationship between expert diplomats transitioning quickly into the personal sector and subsequently returning to contribute to the general public sector creates a mutually useful situation for all stakeholders concerned.

As Chile’s Normal Consul in New York from 2020 to 2023, what alternatives and challenges did you observe in consular and diaspora diplomacy?

“If you may make it there, you’ll make it wherever,” sang Frank Sinatra about life in New York. That’s completely true, and people phrases resound effectively inside me. With over 200,000 Chileans and their members of the family making up the Chilean diaspora in New York, we confronted a number of challenges throughout our consular work within the metropolis. Probably the most tough subject was the variety of Chileans who had been undocumented, working, and making an attempt to make ends meet. And they aren’t few. Individuals go hungry; some don’t have a job, and a few fall into medication. These are the difficulties of residing in america’ largest metropolis. Serving to them kind out issues meant we needed to be as a consulate on the highway, on the street. We noticed dying at instances, head on. 

New York can be a key monetary and business heart of the world. With over 100 Consulates within the metropolis, we needed to differentiate ourselves from others well and strategically. We reached universities and chambers of commerce by digging into our wealthy historical past and heritage inside and in New York. José Miguel Carrera, Benjamin Vicuña Mackenna, Anita Lizana, Mario Kreutzberger, Gabriela Mistral, Claudio Arrau, are just some Chileans who left their mark in New York. Their tales had been very effectively obtained by Chileans and People alike, opening doorways to extra alternatives because the optimistic Chile story was advised and understood. New York can be a metropolis of studying, with dozens of Chileans learning in vital universities positioned all through the town. Supporting scholar associations and the North American Chilean Chamber of Commerce’s actions was additionally an important a part of the job. Constructing a way of neighborhood is key when serving and main a Consulate overseas.

Why do you suppose it’s vital for diplomats to interact with the general public on digital platforms, given the sometimes “cautious” nature of diplomatic work?

As profession diplomats, we owe ourselves every single day to our nation and other people. Efficient communication performs an important position in dispelling stereotypes and misconceptions about diplomacy and its practitioners. Individuals naturally search connections and are interested in public service in motion. There are uplifting tales price sharing in simple phrases that resonate with everybody. The extra people really feel linked to their communities and their world influence, the better the understanding and pursuit of peace and cooperation. It’s important to enhance consciousness of our work, its challenges, and its significance. With out digital communication platforms, there could be a lack of understanding in regards to the contributions made by nations and their devoted diplomatic professionals. Individuals are genuinely curious about studying in regards to the efforts of those that serve their international locations. I consider many recognize the movies or posts I share on social media, as they supply insights into our world. Finally, we’re a part of a world neighborhood and should try for mutual understanding and collaboration.

What suggestions would you provide to international locations in Latin America for creating and selling efficient public diplomacy methods?

Come nearer collectively. The time is ripe to work in direction of attaining what others have been capable of accomplish with success, delivering some highly effective impacts, and studying too alongside the best way. Take a more in-depth have a look at ASEAN—power by means of range. ASEAN’s super communication expertise and steady actions involving quite a few stakeholders, points, and objectives are an instance to many. A shared imaginative and prescient with a gradual roadmap features a lot traction by means of engagement with communities. Creativity doesn’t imply extra; it simply means conveying the message skillfully. 

What’s an important recommendation you may give younger Worldwide Relations students?

Primary piece of recommendation is to study to talk and write in English. Everybody who’s somebody, in all places, speaks English within the worldwide enviornment. Quantity two, learn. Every single day I learn greater than two dozen completely different information media on-line, together with from Chile, Argentina, Peru, Mexico, america, France, Britain, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Germany, Indonesia, Qatar, and Thailand, amongst different international locations. Learn. Should you come to a gathering or a social gathering and meet somebody from a rustic the place you’ve lately learn one thing attention-grabbing, share it—you’ll instantly see their eyes glitter. You’ve opened a door, and also you’ve made an impression. That contact will keep in mind. By no means cease researching. Begin your library at house or the workplace. Books at all times keep in type and are an funding, in you. At all times set attainable objectives. Be true to your self. No person is similar, and a staff includes various kinds of folks, not all of whom are the identical. Don’t be afraid to be true to your self. Be sincere, loyal, accountable, and intention for extra. Don’t sit on a regular basis. Transfer round. Be a part of a staff. Observe tolerance. Be inquisitive and soak up expertise. Earn your stripes. Take within the failures and rejoice, humbly, the wins. You’ll fall typically, however the feeling of feat—and you’ll obtain nice issues as a part of a staff or individually— does take all of the ache away. If you wish to grow to be a diplomat, do love your nation. Serve it with honesty and pleasure. Worth and respect expertise. You don’t study simply by attending class or studying one e book a month.  Be continually inquisitive. Journey. Bear in mind that have counts. Attain out to those that might know greater than you. Discover a good mentor. Do away with your pleasure. Be humble and be variety. 

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