Minister: Human Capital Key to Achieving Golden Indonesia 2045

PELALAWAN, Indonesia — Indonesian Minister of Manpower Yassierli said the country's human capital will be the decisive factor in achieving the vision of Golden Indonesia 2045, urging young people to embrace innovation, continuous learning, and long-term thinking to navigate future challenges.

Speaking before 242 scholarship recipients at the Tanoto Scholars Gathering (TSG) 2026 at the RGE Exhibition Center in Pelalawan, Riau, on Wednesday evening, Yassierli outlined three essential mindsets needed to prepare the next generation of national leaders.

The first is an innovation mindset, encouraging young people to continuously seek new solutions to emerging challenges. The second is a growth mindset, emphasizing lifelong learning, self-improvement, and resilience in the face of failure. The third is a future mindset, focusing on long-term impact and sustainable contributions to society.

"These three mindsets are crucial for young people who aspire to become impactful leaders and help Indonesia make a greater leap toward its Golden Indonesia 2045 vision," Yassierli said.

The minister stressed that Indonesia must cultivate not only innovation projects but also a lasting culture of innovation, arguing that while projects eventually end, an innovation-driven culture continues to generate new ideas, solutions, and better ways of working.

He noted that innovation extends beyond creating new products. It also includes developing better services, business models, and work systems capable of delivering added value, addressing labor market challenges, and creating more employment opportunities amid rapid global changes.

Yassierli also called on the Tanoto Foundation to continue fostering innovation among young Indonesians. He expressed hope that the Tanoto Scholars Gathering would serve not only as a platform for academic excellence but also as a space to develop leadership and social responsibility.

"My dream for 2045 is for Indonesia to become a great nation by becoming an Innovation Nation. That is the vision I continue to promote," he said.

The remarks come as Indonesia intensifies efforts to strengthen the quality of its workforce and accelerate innovation-driven economic growth as part of its long-term development agenda leading up to the nation's centennial in 2045. (Jamil)