Behind OPEC’s Invitation for Indonesia to Rejoin: An Analysis of Membership Dynamics in an International Organization

The membership structure matters to ensure a durable negotiating forum in an international organization. However, July 2017, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, on behalf of Organization Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), requested Indonesia reactivate its membership, which country had suspended—for second time—in November 2016. first suspension was January 2009—annulled Government (GoI) then welcomed invitation. This study aims analyze OPEC’s scheme, has given leeway members send request like above. In-depth interviews were conducted with Indonesia’s representatives OPEC capture organization’s internal condition. By analyzing dynamics, we can identify three reasons behind invitation rejoin. is because need presence negotiations as they consider neutral. Second, needs different attribute strengthen image diversity stage. third reason historical elements. strives maintain historically good relations GoI contributed development. For those reasons, organization might reinvite former member join group.