Indonesia Offers Three Strategies to Revive Global Solidarity
- Kemlu.go.id
New York – The Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi has asked on all countries in the world to revive global trust and solidarity at the 78th Session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York, the United States.
"The World now is at a strategic crossroad. The only way to address dwindling trust and global disparities is to enhance global solidarity and shared responsibility," the Minister said on Saturday.
This was taken from the point message of the Asian-African Conference held in Bandung, West Java, in 1955. Through the 10 Bandung Principles, Indonesia called for all countries to respect human rights, the UN Charter, sovereignty and territorial integrity, equality, and esolving conflicts peacefully, as well as encouraging the promotion of cooperation and mutual interests.
Minister Marsudi remarked that the Bandung spirit enables Indonesia to listen and become part of the solution.
Menlu RI, Retno Marsudi
- ANTARA/Yashinta Difa
"For Indonesia, global leadership should not only be about power or the influence to dictate others," the Minister said.
She continued: "Global leadership is about listening to others, building bridges for various interests, respecting international laws consistently, and respecting all nations equally,"
Regarding the uncertain global situation with declining trust and sharpening rivalries, Minister Marsudi stated that it had prevented developing countries from meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets.
After that Minister Marsudi offers three strategies to revive global trust and solidarity to end uncertain global situation.
First, Indonesia urges collective global leadership.
"The fate of world cannot be defined by the mighty few. A peaceful, stable, and prosperous world is the collective right and responsibility to all countries, whether big or small, north or south, developed or developing countries," the Minister emphasized.
The Minister also urged all parties to uphold international laws, especially the fundamental principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, and ensure that disputes would be settled on the negotiating table rather than at the battlefield. Especially, collective responsibility is deemed essential for saving the people of Palestine and Afghanistan.
Second, Indonesia encourages development for all. The minister said that all countries have the same right to develop and grow.
However, Minister marsudi said that global architecture currently only benefits several countries.
The minister continued: "The discriminatory trade policies still continue, global supply chains are still monopolized, and developing countries are still burdened by foreign debt. All of this contributes to the erosion of trust and solidarity,"
"Therefore, it is time for us to make a real change. Industrial down-streaming must not be an exclusive call of developing countries. Developed countries should also support this call to build a stronger future together," Minister Marsudi added.
Regarding climate change issues, the minister also called on developed countries to fulfill their responsibilities, including in climate change financing, green investment, and technology transfer.
Meanwhile, regarding technological issues, she hoped that the latest digital technology such as artificial intelligence (AI) could also be accessed by developing countries because it is crucial for their sustainable growth.
Third, Indonesia encourages efforts to bolster regional cooperation.
"Regional institutions should be net contributors and building blocks for global peace and prosperity,"
According to Minister Marsudi, ASEAN is an example of regional cooperation that is effective and contributes to peace and global prosperity. As ASEAN's chair this year, Indonesia has succeeded in navigating ASEAN through difficult geopolitical dynamics in the region.
"We will not let our region be a pawn of rivalries. Instead, Southeast Asia must be an Epicentrum of Growth, where all countries can benefit meaningfully,"
Furthermore, Minister Marsudi stated that during Indonesian chairmanship, ASEAN remained united and its centrality has gotten stronger.
ASEAN has also started the discussion on the long-term vision for ASEAN 2045 and established a closer partnership with the Pacific Islands Forum and the Indian Ocean Rim Association for a stable and peaceful Indo-Pacific.
In addition, ASEAN has also implemented the ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific into concrete and inclusive cooperation.
Meanwhile, about the Myanmar issue, Minister emphasized that ASEAN will continue to ask the military junta to implement the Five Point Consensus, "ASEAN will spare no effort to ensure the people of Myanmar are not left alone,"
At the end of her speech, the Minister highlighted the need to reform the current multilateral system and invited countries to translate their commitment into concrete actions.
