28 September 2024
Mr. President,
This is my last opportunity, as the Foreign Minister of Indonesia to represent my country to speak before the UNGA. A decade of so many challenges but at the same time, a decade of Indonesia’s many contributions in addressing global issues. One of them is Palestine.
Indonesia cannot, I repeat cannot, sit back and relax seeing the injustice that continues to be committed against the people of Palestine. Indonesia is and will always stand with the people of Palestine to attain their right to have an independent state of Palestine. As I speak now more than 41 thousand people in Gaza have been killed, situation in West Bank Lebanon are deteriorating.
Is that not enough? Will the Security Council only take action to stop Israel’s atrocities. When all Palestinian are displaced? Or when one hundred thousand Palestinians are killed? Or when a regional armed conflict breaks out? That will be too late!
PM Netanyahu yesterday mentioned and I quote:
That “Israel seeks peace…” That “Israel yearns for peace…”
Really? How are we supposed to believe that statement? Yesterday, while he was here, Israel conducted unprecedented massive air-attacks on Beirut. PM Netanyahu wants the war to continue… We must stop that…I repeat we must stop that. We must pressure Israel to come back to a political solution for two-state solution.
President,
The overwhelming majority of the UN members strongly support the two-state solution. This is the right time to walk the talk. Recognizing the State of Palestine is the least that we can do now, to give Palestinian equal footing on the world’s stage & to exert pressure to Israel to stop their atrocities. Therefore, I urge countries that have yet to recognize the State of Palestine to do so now. If every each one of us does it, for sure it will give impact.
The recognition of Palestine today is an investment that would yield a more peaceful, just and humane world tomorrow. Once again, Indonesia urges the Permanent Members of the Security Council to concretely act, to immediately stop Israel from blatantly violating international law & to end Israeli impunity. The mandate of the Security Council is to maintain peace, to create peace, not to maintain and prolong wars, or even worse to support the perpetrator of atrocities. Inaction means complicity.
Colleagues,
Wherever Indonesia goes we carry the voices of the Global South. Indonesia started this commitment in 1955 when Indonesia hosted the Asia-Africa Conference in Bandung, Indonesia. The Bandung Spirit of equality, cooperation and solidarity will always be alive to inspire the Global South to gain their rights including their right to development. That is the spirit that we need, If we want to have a global leadership where moral virtues are the compass of our business. Do not bury the Principles of the UN Charter and international law under the rubble of double standards, trust deficit & zero-sum game.
Mr. President,
Excellencies…
Against these global challenges Indonesia continues to be part of the solution. By embodying this commitment, Indonesia’s presidency in 2022 managed to prevent the G20 from collapsing despite deep geopolitical division. During the global pandemic, we led the establishment of the Pandemic Fund & co-chaired the COVAX AMC Engagement Group to ensure equitable access to vaccines and financial resource & safeguard health security for all especially for the Global South.
As a member of the Human Rights Council Indonesia continuously calls for inclusive partnerships in addressing global human rights issues. And amidst regional rivalries Indonesia pioneered the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific as a framework for concrete and inclusive cooperation, to embrace not to contain. We have demonstrated that global leadership will never be attained through force domination & fear.
Global leadership should be about guiding collective actions by listening, empowering collaboration, & instilling hope. This is what I say “Leadership… without hegemony.”.
Mr. President,
Excellencies…
To attain this vision, we must focus on three key priorities:
First, advancing peace through inclusive leadership. Multilateral system should be reformed. The UNSC must be an inclusive space for peace, where a wider range of voices can be heard and timely decisions can be taken for our collective good. Without peace our efforts to attain global goals such as the SDGs will remain a dream without reality. Indonesia is committed to contribute to global peace by being one of the largest troop-contributing countries in UN peacekeeping missions & remain firm in our pro-active role to counter-terrorism.
We also strive to ensure that the peace we are promoting will be inclusive by advancing the Women, Peace and Security agenda, contributing to women empowerment, including pursuing equal access to education to women and girls in Afghanistan. Investing in women is investing in peace. Empowering women is empowering prosperity for all.
Second, ensure a resilient future for shared prosperity. Indonesia believes in a future where all nations thrive no matter how big or small. But the global pandemic and impacts of climate change has shown us all that to prosper together we must work together. Therefore, the implementation of the Pact for the Future is important to accelerate the achievement of the SDGs & scale up partnership and sustainable development even beyond 2030.
At the same time geopolitical tensions have also significantly impacted global supply chains affecting the development trajectory of the Global South, many of whom remain unable to freely exercise their right to development. In this context, Indonesia has taken proactive steps.
Earlier this month Indonesia held the 2nd Indonesia-Africa Forum to enhance cooperation in international supply chains and connectivity & build collaboration in preparing for the future challenges. Indonesia also hosted the 10th World Water Forum this year. We believe that water is a crucial element for shared prosperity.
Third, building bridges… to foster global collaboration.
Colleagues,
A “winner takes all” “take it or leave it” mentality should no longer exist when collaboration is the only antidote in addressing the global challenges of today. For Indonesia, a world where the only option is us versus them will only result in a world of us or them. Global solidarity and collective responsibility are the essence of the Bandung Spirit. This spirit guided us through our G20 Presidency in 2022, Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2023 & continuous efforts to voice the aspirations of the Global South.
Indonesia envisions a world where nations collaborate together to address shared challenges, uphold international law & protect the human rights and dignity of all people. In Southeast Asia, ASEAN with its 650 million people has proven that diversity can coexist with stability, peace and prosperity. Indonesia also continues to work with ASEAN to restore peace and stability in Myanmar, through the implementation of the ASEAN Five-Point of Consensus & to enable the safe and dignified return of the Rohingya People.
Beyond ASEAN we also continue to deepen our engagement to the Pacific region to become part and parcel of an inclusive and peaceful Indo-Pacific architecture, based on the principles of solidarity, equality and mutual respect.
Mr President,
Colleagues…
Peace justice and humanity will always be at the core of Indonesia’s foreign policy. Indonesia understands that global leadership is not something that is inherited nor does it fall from the sky. It must be earned through our collective efforts. Rest assured that Indonesia’s commitment towards common peace, common prosperity and common security, will be carried forward across Indonesia’s successive administrations. It is in this spirit that I am proud to announce Indonesia’s candidature for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for 2029-2030.
This candidature reflects our deep commitment to contributing towards global peace and security.
So colleagues,
Let us work together to build a legacy of peace for future generations.
I Thank you very, very much.