Foreign Minister: Indonesia Calls for New Paradigm to Address Global Challenges
Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno LP Marsudi delivers her remarks at the 77th Session of the UN General Assembly, New York, the United States of America, Monday (09/26). Photo by: PR of Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Indonesia calls for a new paradigm to address the global challenges.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno LP Marsudi delivered the statement in her remarks at the 77th Session of the UN General Assembly, New York, the United States of America (09/26).
“Indonesia offers you a world based on a new paradigm. A paradigm of win-win not of zero-sum. A paradigm of engagement not of containment. A paradigm of collaboration not of competition. This is the transformative solution that we need”, Retno said.
Retno said that the current state of the world is very worrying because the pandemic persists and global economy remains sluggish. War among nations, she added, is no longer a possibility but has become a reality while violation of international law has become a norm in pursuit of narrow self-interest.
On that occasion, Retno highlighted the importance of the new paradigm.
First, to reignite the spirit of peace.
“Trust deficit breeds hatred and fear and may lead into conflict. We witnessed these phenomena in many parts of the world. We must turn trust deficit into strategic trust. And it starts with upholding respect for international law. The fundamental principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity are non-negotiable. I repeat, the fundamental principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity are non-negotiable,” the Minister said.
She went on to say that peaceful solution is the only option to settle any conflicts and the new paradigm must also be implemented to make a breakthrough in Palestine and Afghanistan.
“Indonesia would stand firm in solidarity with our Palestinian brothers and sisters. For Afghanistan, Indonesia is committed to taking measures to fulfill rights and provide access to education for women and girls,” she said.
Second, to revive responsibility for global recovery.
“The pandemic teaches us a valuable lesson that no one is safe until everyone is. This lesson shapes the priorities of Indonesia’s G20 Presidency. The whole world is pinning their hope on G20 to be a catalyst of global economic recovery, especially for developing countries. G20 must not fail. We cannot let global recovery fall at the mercy of geopolitics,” Retno said.
Third, to bolster regional partnership.
Retno said that regional architecture should not be built as a tool for containment and alienation; it must serve as the building block for peace and stability rather than undermining them.
“ASEAN was built exactly for this purpose. This paradigm will also guide Indonesia’s Chairmanship in ASEAN next year. It is the commitment of Indonesia to reinforce ASEAN’s centrality in shaping regional order and to ensure ASEAN matters for our peoples, for the region, and for the world,” the Minister said.
Retno further said that the new paradigm of collaboration must be the spirit of the UN.
“The voices of all countries: big and small, developed and developing must equally matter. That is why we need a strong and reformed UN. That is why we need a renewed multilateralism that is fit for purpose and that is fit for its time,” she stated.
Concluding her remarks, Retno reiterated that the implementation of the new paradigm will create a better world for all.
“I believe by working together and adopting a new paradigm we can create a better world for all. It is no longer the time to talk the talk. Now is the time to walk the talk,” the Minister remarked. (PR of Ministry of Foreign Affairs/UN) (RI/MUR)
