Indonesia invites UN members to revive trust and solidarity

New York, The Gulf Observer: Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi has called on all countries in the world to revive global trust and solidarity at the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York, the US, on Saturday.

“The world now is at a strategic crossroad. Global solidarity and collective responsibility are the only answer to address trust deficit and global inequality,” she said as quoted in a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The call was taken from the core message of the Asian-African Conference held in Bandung, West Java, in 1955, according to the statement.

Through the 10 Bandung Principles, Indonesia called for all countries to respect human rights, the UN Charter, sovereignty and territorial integrity, equality, and resolving conflicts peacefully, as well as encouraging the promotion of cooperation and mutual interests.

“The Bandung spirit enables Indonesia to listen and become part of the solution,” Marsudi said.

She explained that for Indonesia, global leadership should not only be about power or the influence to dictate others.

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, Marsudi explained that it had prevented developing countries from meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets.

To this end, she outlined three strategies to rebuild global trust and reignite global solidarity.

First, Indonesia urges collective global leadership.

“The fate of the world cannot be defined by the mighty few,” she said.

She emphasized that a peaceful, stable, and prosperous world is the collective right and responsibility of all countries, whether big or small, north or south, developed or developing countries.

She 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.

Particularly, collective responsibility is deemed essential for saving the people of Palestine and Afghanistan.

“For far too long we have allowed our Palestinian brothers and sisters to suffer. Indonesia will not back an inch in our support for Palestinian statehood,” she remarked.

Second, Indonesia encourages development for all.

The minister noted that all countries have the same right to develop and grow. However, she said that global architecture currently only benefits several countries.

She pointed out that 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,” she said.

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,” she highlighted.

According to 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,” she said.

She further said that during Indonesia’s 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.

Regarding the Myanmar issue, she emphasized that ASEAN will continue to urge the military junta to implement the Five Point Consensus.

“ASEAN will spare no effort to ensure the people of Myanmar are not left alone,” she said.

At the end of her speech, she highlighted the need to reform the current multilateral system and invited countries to translate their commitment into concrete actions.