President Prabowo Gives Debut Address to UNGA General Debate
President Prabowo Subianto delivers an address at the 80th Session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York, the United States, on Tuesday (09/23). (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat)
For the first time in a decade, Indonesia’s Head of State took the podium in person, as President Prabowo Subianto delivered his debut UN address at the 80th United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York, the United States, on Tuesday (09/23).
President Prabowo spoke at the first session of the General Debate, as the third speaker following Brazil, the first speaker by diplomatic tradition since 1955, and the United States, the host country.
The President’s presence at the UN podium signaled a new chapter in Indonesian diplomacy. Over the past decade, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo delivered addresses virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic, while in other years, Indonesia was represented by the Vice President or ministers. Now, Indonesia reaffirmed its commitment to the global stage, underlining both symbolic and political significance.
President Prabowo’s appearance as the third speaker also makes history. President Soekarno once gave his address as the 46th speaker, President Soeharto as the 61st, and President Megawati Soekarnoputri as the 17th. President Soesilo Bambang Yudhoyono was recorded to have given his address three times, as the 20th, 21st, and 16th speaker, while President Jokowi was recorded to have given his address twice virtually, both as the 16th speaker.
Before world leaders present at the UN General Assembly Hall, President Prabowo opened his debut address with great respect and underlined the principle of universal brotherhood despite differences in nationality and faith.
“It is indeed a great honor to stand in this august General Assembly Hall, among leaders and representatives who represent almost all of humanity. We differ in race, religion, and nationality, yet we gather together today as one human family. We are here first and foremost as fellow human beings — each created equal, endowed with unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” President Prabowo stated.
Accompanying the President were Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan, Minister of Foreign Affairs Sugiono, Minister of Human Rights Natalius Pigai, Minister of Investment and Downstreaming/Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Rosan Roeslani, Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya, and Indonesia’s Permanent Representative to the UN in New York Umar Hadi. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (FI/TM)
