Ario Bimo Utomo is an assistant professor at the Department of International Relations, Universitas Pembangunan Nasional "Veteran" Jawa Timur, Indonesia. He specializes in diplomacy, particularly by cities and de facto states. Ario is a published author, having written books and journal articles in the field of International Relations. He also has years of experience in teaching Diplomacy as a course subject for undergraduate students. Before that, he was also an assistant lecturer at the Department of International Relations, Universitas Gadjah Mada.