Iman Pambagyo graduated from the University of Gadjah Mada majoring in International Relations and from McMaster University majoring in International Politics. He worked for the government of Indonesia since 1987 and became the Director-General for International Trade Negotiation in 2012-2014 and 2016-2020. He also served as Indonesia's Ambassador to the WTO between 2014-2015. As the DG his work covered bilateral, regional, multilateral and international trade cooperation and negotiation. He played a key role in the inception of RCEP and chaired the RCEP negotiations from the very beginning until the agreement was signed on 15 November 2020. He is now with Bahar Consulting as the Trade Advisory Principal, and a member of Editors' Board of B-Universe Media Holding while contributing to some projects under the ADB and ERIA.