UN Secretary General Praises Bhinneka Tunggal Ika as Indonesian Motto
- ANTARA/Yuni Arisandy.
Jakarta – The United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has praised the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as an important factor for unity in a divided world.
"I praised ASEAN member states for their important role in building bridges of understanding. ASEAN has been an important factor for unity in a divided world," Guterres stated in a press conference on the sidelines of the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta on Thursday.
Sekjen PBB, Antonio Guterres.
- AP Photo/Hadi Mizban.
Guterres expressed concern about the world that he considered has been stretched to the breaking point by a cascade of crises, from the worsening climate emergency and escalating wars and conflicts, to growing poverty, widening inequalities, and rising geopolitical tensions.
"Therefore, we need cooperation on all fronts,"
The UN secretary general also praised Indonesian national motto of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika that he considered to be increasingly relevant in the current world situation.
"Bhinneka Tunggal Ika – Unity in diversity – is not only Indonesia’s national motto. It is the key to forging a better future for us all," he emphasized.
Moreover, Guterres stated the importance of ASEAN as multilateral organization that could bridges diversities and build an understanding.
“We need this more than ever in the world that is continuously divided. We need a strong multilateral organization to follow that is based on equality, solidarity, and universality,” Guterres explained.
In addition, Guterres thanked ASEAN for providing more than 5,000 peacekeeping personnel from Indonesia and other ASEAN countries serving around the world.
"ASEAN's constructive role in the field of peace, especially in efforts to ease tensions in the South China Sea to the Korean Peninsula by promoting dialogue and encouraging respect for international law," he continued.
During the retreat session of 43rd ASEAN Summit in JCC, Indonesia was appreciated by all ASEAN head states for the successful event.
