Indonesian Foreign Minister Affirms Multilateralism is Essential to Address Global Challenges

Kuala Lumpur, Oct 19 (KUNA) -- Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi affirmed on Monday that multilateralism is not a choice for her country but a necessity to confront increasingly complex global challenges, emphasizing the importance of multilateral cooperation and dialogue and enhancing the United Nations’ capacity to address rapid transformations.

Speaking before UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who is currently visiting Indonesia, Retno said, “The space for multilateral dialogue is narrowing at a time when the world needs cooperation more than ever.”

She called for UN reform to ensure the organization remains capable of addressing 21st-century challenges, adding that reform is no longer merely an aspiration but an urgent necessity. She noted that UN reform should encompass the organization’s working methods, operational processes, resource allocation, and its ability to respond to the needs of member states, stressing that reform is not a luxury but the price that must be paid to keep the United Nations relevant to reality.

She affirmed that the principles of the UN Charter must remain the foundation of international relations, but that the institutions established on the basis of those principles need to adapt to contemporary changes to deliver tangible results for member states.

Retno added that Indonesia advocates strengthening the voice of developing countries, particularly those of the Global South, in international decision-making.

She reaffirmed Indonesia’s continued commitment to the United Nations, in line with its constitutional mandate to contribute to building a global system based on independence, lasting peace, and social justice.

She stated that Indonesia’s support for the independence of the Palestinian people and their right to self-determination is unwavering, adding that her country’s history underscores the importance of sovereignty, equality, and solidarity. (End)