Indonesia Calls for World Leaders to Unite

In his speech at a United Nations General Assembly session in New York, Vice President Jusuf Kalla called for world leaders to unite. Indonesia was convinced that unity would make a way to overcome increasingly complex global challenges.

KOMPAS/WAWAN H PRABOWO

Vice President Jusuf Kalla addresses the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018, at the UN headquarters, in New York, the United States.

NEW YORK, KOMPAS – In his speech at a United Nations General Assembly session in New York on Thursday (27/9/2018) afternoon local time or early Friday Jakarta time, Vice President Jusuf Kalla called for world leaders to unite. Indonesia was convinced that unity would make a way to overcome increasingly complex global challenges.

Voicing Indonesian concerns about unilateral protectionist policies pursued my major countries, Kalla called for the mainstreaming of multilateral cooperation in response to the various problems faced by the global community.

Kalla said countries were often misguided in seeking leaders perceived as superheroes with superpowers. “The UN must not seek superheroes. We do not need the Avengers or the Justice League [to save us]. All of us in this room are global leaders. Together, we have superpower. We have to rely on our will, courage, strength, compassion, selflessness and modesty. These are the [core elements] of the UN,” he said.

Kalla said at the same occasion that trade wars posed a huge problem for the world, aside from wars and armed conflicts. Trade conflicts may affect the quality of life and the global economy.

To resolve the problem, unity among world leaders was necessary. “In order to achieve peace, equality and stability, global leadership and collective responsibility are needed,” Kalla said.

International organizations like the UN, Kalla said, should make huge contributions to resolving global issues. He said a more responsive, responsible and credible UN was necessary to achieve a peaceful, equal and stable global community.

“We at the UN must show our leadership. Therefore, reform at the UN is inevitable, or else it will become outdated, as it cannot respond to the needs and challenges of changing times,” Kalla said.

KOMPAS/NINA SUSILO

Vice President Jusuf Kalla delivers a speech at the 73rd General Assembly of the United Nations at the UN Headquarters, Thursday (27/9/2018). In his speech, the Vice President Kalla called for world leaders to unite to overcome various global challenges.

Palestine

Before representatives of other countries, Kalla reaffirmed Indonesia’s stance on the Palestine issue. The fate of millions of Palestinian refugees was at stake because of threats on Jerusalem’s status quo. Kalla said Indonesia would always stand by Palestine until the day it achieved independence.

In December last year, the US’s unilateral declaration of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital drew global criticism and anger, as it was deemed impede the Israel-Palestine peace process. A few months later, the US officially opened its embassy in Jerusalem. A series of major protests by Palestinians erupted in Gaza. More than 100 locals were killed in the protests against Israel.

Kalla also reaffirmed that Indonesia would always safeguard its sovereignty and territorial unity. “Indonesia will not let any country undermine its territorial unity. As other sovereign countries do, Indonesia will defend its territorial unity. I emphasize again that [Indonesia] will always defend its territorial unity,” he said.

Kalla also conveyed Indonesia’s gratitude for other countries’ support of its successful bid to be a nonpermanent member of the UN Security Council (UNSC) for the 2019-2020 term. Kalla said Indonesia would always do its best to carry out its duties.

Separately, Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi said Indonesia was continuing its preparations ahead of the start of its term as UNSC nonpermanent member in January next year.

With regard to Indonesia’s involvement in UN peace missions, 3,500 Indonesians – including 111 women – are currently participating in such missions around the world. The plan is to send 4,000 additional personnel next year, with a higher proportion of women.

(B. JOSIE SUSILO HARDIANTO)