UN Secretary General Appreciates Gov’t Quick Responses to Palu and Lombok Quakes

Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi accompanies the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres at the Laguna Resort, Thursday (11/10). (Photo by: Jay/Public Relations).

The United Nations (UN) Secretary General Antonio Guterres offered his condolences and sympathy to the victims and families of victims of the earthquake and tsunami that hit Palu and Donggala, Central Sulawesi, as well as Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara. He also praised the Indonesian Government’s quick response in handling the situation.

“The UN Secretary General said that Indonesian people have high resilience,” Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi said after accompanying President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo received Antonio Guterres at the Laguna Resort, Thursday (11/10).

According to Minister Retno, the UN Secretary General emphasized that it is always not easy for us to work in an emergency situation.

On the occasion, he also said that Indonesia is a vital partner for the UN. “Indonesia has strength, ability, and intention to be actively involved in efforts to creating world peace and prosperity,” the Minister quoted Guterrez.

Therefore, Retno continued, Indonesia’s partnership with the UN was assessed by the UN Secretary General as ‘excellent.’

“They both discussed several world issues, such as the issues of peace,” the Minister said, adding that the UN Secretary General appreciated Indonesia’s contribution to peace keeping operations.

Related to the Palestinian issue, Guterrez expressed his appreciation for Indonesia’s position on the Palestinian issue.

Concerning the situation in Rakhine State, according to Retno, the UN Secretary General said that Indonesia approaches the issue in a proper way, thus Indonesia can make contribution despite the difficult situation. Guterrez also believed that Indonesia can continue to contribute to the efforts to resolve the conflicts in Rakhine State. (Tim Liputan IMF-WB/ES) (GWH/MMB/Naster)