Indonesia Calls for Nuclear Weapons Total Elimination

Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno L.P. Marsudi at the UN Headquarters, New York, the United States, Tuesday (09/26). (Photo by: PR of MOFA)

Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno L.P. Marsudi Tuesday (09/26) encouraged the commitment of all nations to the disarmament and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.

“The total elimination of nuclear weapons is the only way to guarantee against their use and threat of use,” Retno said at the High Level Plenary Meeting to Commemorate and Promote the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, at the UN Headquarters, New York, the United States.

During the meeting, Retno delivered the ASEAN Joint Statement and the Indonesian Government statement.  ​

At the plenary meeting, Retno also delivered the ASEAN Joint Statement and the Indonesian Government Statement.

“ASEAN is worried that countries’ commitment to fulfilling their obligations will increasingly fade,” the Minister said, adding that all countries must comply with and fulfill their obligations to various international treaties, including: Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), and Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW).

According to the Minister, strong political will is essential to preserve the credibility and integrity of the treaty.

“ASEAN remains committed to preserving the Southeast Asian region as a nuclear free zone and all weapons of mass destruction,” the Minister said.

As for Indonesian Government Statement, Retno listed two critical things that needed to be done. First, create a world free from nuclear weapons.

“The total elimination of nuclear weapons must be carried out and must be included in the important global agenda, including through the New Agenda for Peace proposed by the UN Secretary-General in strengthening multilateralism and creating peace,” she said.

Second, ensuring rights to develop and utilize nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. The Minister emphasized the importance of close collaboration in utilizing nuclear technology, including for agriculture, health and industry so it can contribute significantly in achieving the 2030 SDGs Agenda.

“This way, the humanity’s doomsday clock will never have to reach midnight,” the Minister remarked.

For the record, Indonesia has ratified and become a state party to the NPT in 1978 and CTBT in 2012. Currently, Indonesia is completing the TPNW ratification process.

The High-Level Plenary Meeting to Commemorate and Promote the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons is held annually to raise public awareness about the threat posed by nuclear weapons and the need for the total elimination of nuclear weapons. (PR of Ministry of Foreign Affairs/UN) (GWH/LW)