Source: Halal Focus

Jakarta Indonesia – Indonesia’s top halal certification authority is spearheading efforts to create unified global halal standards, positioning the nation as a central player in the international halal economy. The initiative comes as part of broader discussions on Islamic economic development and sustainable growth.

Strategic Forum Highlights Halal Industry Priorities

Ahmad Haikal Hasan, who leads Indonesia’s Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH), presented his vision for international halal standards coordination during the 2025 International Islamic Economics and Finance Conference for Sustainable Development (IFESDC). The prestigious gathering took place at the World Bank Headquarters in Washington DC from May 21-22, 2025.

The IFESDC serves as a crucial platform where policymakers, Islamic economics experts, scholars, and industry professionals converge to develop strategic approaches for Islamic economic systems, the halal sector, and Islamic finance mechanisms that support sustainable development and poverty reduction initiatives.

Cross-Border Collaboration Takes Center Stage

During his keynote address titled “Harmonizing Global Halal Standards,” Hasan emphasized the critical need for international cooperation in establishing an inclusive halal ecosystem. His presentation stressed the importance of mutual recognition agreements between countries’ halal certification systems.

The Indonesian official argued that standardizing halal requirements across borders would not only accelerate the growth of the global halal industry but also provide enhanced consumer protection for halal-conscious buyers worldwide. This coordination effort represents a shift toward more integrated international halal commerce.

Indonesia’s Regional Leadership Initiative

Hasan, commonly known as Babe Haikal, outlined his strategy to redefine halal perception through diplomatic engagement in halal product assurance. A key component of this approach involves establishing the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Halal Forum, which he views as a practical mechanism for strengthening regional halal ecosystem cooperation.

This forum represents Indonesia’s broader ambition to serve as the focal point for global halal industry development, leveraging the country’s substantial Muslim population and growing halal production capabilities.

Halal Evolution Beyond Religious Requirements

In his presentation, Hasan described how halal has evolved from purely religious compliance into a comprehensive global lifestyle standard. He emphasized that modern halal certification now represents broader values including trust, transparency, and supply chain traceability.

Contemporary halal standards have expanded to encompass health consciousness, cleanliness protocols, quality assurance, environmental sustainability, and eco-friendly practices. This evolution has made halal certification relevant for diverse industrial applications, attracting manufacturers and consumers regardless of their religious or ethnic backgrounds.

Service Transformation and Market Competitiveness

The BPJPH leader outlined ongoing efforts to optimize Indonesia’s vast halal potential through enhanced certification programs. The agency is implementing comprehensive service improvements focused on making halal certification more accessible, cost-effective, efficient, and dependable.

These operational enhancements are designed to strengthen the international market position of Indonesian halal products, supporting the country’s broader economic development objectives while meeting growing global demand for certified halal goods.

Diplomatic Engagement and International Partnerships

Hasan’s Washington visit included participation in cultural activities at the Indonesian Embassy, reinforcing the diplomatic dimensions of halal industry development. The IFESDC forum provided opportunities to explore mutual recognition agreements and acceptance protocols with halal certification bodies from various countries.

Indonesia’s active participation in such international forums demonstrates the nation’s commitment to halal diplomacy and its strategic goal of becoming the world’s primary halal production hub. This approach combines economic objectives with cultural and religious considerations, positioning Indonesia as a bridge between diverse global markets seeking halal-certified products.

The initiative reflects Indonesia’s recognition that coordinated international halal standards will benefit all stakeholders in the growing global halal economy, from producers and certification bodies to consumers and regulatory authorities worldwide.

Original article:

halalfocus.com. (n.d.).At the 2025 IFESDC Forum in Washington DC, Head of BPJPH Pushes for Harmonization of Global Halal Standards. Retrieved June 26, 2025, from https://halalfocus.com/at-the-2025-ifesdc-forum-in-washington-dc-head-of-bpjph-pushes-for-harmonization-of-global-halal-standards/