The implementation of energy diplomacy by sub-state actors: approaches of Surabaya toward Kitakyushu

Abstract

In many countries, energy diplomacy is usually carried out by the national government as the primary unit, through bilateral or multilateral agreements. However, it seems that Surabaya and Kitakyushu’s cities have carried out intensive cooperation in the energy sector since the 2010s. This condition shows that the implementation of energy diplomacy has also been conducted at the substate level. Even though it focuses on the active role of the two cities, the meaning of energy diplomacy has not disappeared, but instead, it has expanded. This paper analyzes the City of Surabaya, Indonesia, approaches toward the City of Kitakyushu, Japan, in developing the energy sector, especially to strive for an energy-efficient city planning system in Surabaya. This paper’s analytical framework is based on energy diplomacy and diplomacy by sub-national actors in international relations. The finding of this study is that the diplomacy carried out by the City of Surabaya toward Kitakyushu is classified as a practice of energy diplomacy. The diplomacy is carried out through a sister city approach.