Global Challenges and RI Diplomacy
For the first time, an Indonesian representative was appointed as the secretary-general of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) for the 2022-2024 period.
The world had to live with the pandemic throughout 2021.
The rivalry among major countries also sharpened, especially in the Indo-Pacific region.
How did Indonesia conduct its diplomacy amidst the very dynamic and challenging situation?
Health diplomacy
Health diplomacy was the main agenda in 2021. Indonesia’s diplomacy was conducted to meet the vaccine needs of the Indonesian people and to continue to advocate for equitable vaccine access for all countries.
We should be grateful that by the end of December, more than 277 million vaccine doses had been administered, the fifth highest vaccination rate in the world after China, India, the United States and Brazil. Of this amount, more than 21 percent came via the Gavi COVAX vaccine sharing facility as well as from friendly countries. By 22 Dec. 2021, Indonesia had met the recommended vaccination target of the World Health Organization (WHO), which was set at 40 percent of the total population. Health diplomacy will continue to be conducted to facilitate vaccination to reach 70 percent of the total population by July 2022.
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Not all countries can achieve the WHO’s recommended vaccination target. The vaccination gap is still quite wide. As of 14 Dec., 41 countries had been unable to vaccinate 10 percent of their populations, while 98 countries had been unable to reach the targeted 40 percent.
If this gap is not narrowed, the world will remain in the pandemic longer. As a cochair of the COVAX AMC Engagement Group, Indonesia continues to play a role in narrowing the vaccine gap.
(1st row L-R) French President Emmanuel Macron, US President Donald Trump, Indonesia's President Joko Widodo, Mexico's President Enrique Pena Nieto, South Africa's President Jacob Zuma pose for a family photo of the participants of the G20 summit in Hamburg, northern Germany on July 7, 2017. Leaders of the world's top economies gather from July 7 to 8, 2017 in Germany for likely the stormiest G20 summit in years, with disagreements ranging from wars to climate change and global trade.
The pandemic has opened our eyes to the fact that the world’s health system is still vulnerable. For this reason, one of the priorities of Indonesia’s G20 presidency in 2022 is to strengthen the global health architecture. Indonesia will continue to encourage the strengthening of the WHO's central role while supporting the approval of the new Pandemic Treaty, so that the world is better prepared to face pandemics. In addition, a new health financing scheme for developing countries must be established.
Economic diplomacy
Apart from supporting health recovery, economic diplomacy is also being deployed to support accelerated economic recovery. Indonesia believes that a green and sustainable economy and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) must form the basis of the recovery effort.
Negotiations have concluded on establishing a Travel Corridor Arrangement (TCA) with several countries, including Singapore, South Korea, China, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey. Under Indonesia’s initiative, the ASEAN Travel Corridor Framework has also been finalized. In addition, discussions on mutual recognition of and platform interoperability for vaccination certificates are continuing with many countries and territories, including Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Australia, the Netherlands and the European Union.
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Economic diplomacy is also being conducted to support increased exports, investment and the presence of Indonesia’s private sector and state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in other countries. Several investment commitments were obtained during visits to Abu Dhabi (US$44.6 billion) and Glasgow ($9.29 billion), including investments for green economy projects.
Through Indonesian Aid, Indonesia has strengthened its development cooperation with 11 countries, including Pacific countries.
As part of Indonesia’s Pacific Elevation policy, collaboration with Pacific countries continued to be strengthened by holding the 2nd Pacific Exposition. Through Indonesian Aid, Indonesia has strengthened its development cooperation with 11 countries, including Pacific countries.
Protection diplomacy
The pandemic has had a considerable impact on Indonesian citizens abroad. Therefore, the protection instrument is run optimally to help those in need.
French President Emmanuel Macron (R) and President Joko Widodo (L) of Indonesia greet during a meeting at the Royal Splendid Hotel in Rome, on October 30, 2021, as part of the G20 summit.
During 2021, diplomats have facilitated the repatriation of more than 73,000 citizens, the distribution of nearly 240,000 food aid packages, the release of seven citizens from the death penalty and four other citizens from hostage, savings of more than Rp 179.3 billion in protecting the financial rights of Indonesian citizens, and the administration of vaccine doses to 88,637 citizens in various regions of the world. Indonesia also succeeded in evacuating 33 Indonesian citizens and foreign nationals from Kabul, despite the extremely high risk and complexity.
Going forward, digital transformation and technological innovation will be strengthened, including the integration of the Safe Travel application with PeduliLindungi [the official coronavirus tracking app –Ed.].
Regional/world diplomacy
For the first time, an Indonesian representative was appointed as the secretary-general of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) for the 2022-2024 period. This is an achievement as well as a responsibility to help make the Indian Ocean peaceful, stable and prosperous.
Efforts to strengthen ASEAN are also ongoing. Indonesia wants ASEAN to be a locomotive for peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. Inclusive and concrete cooperation with all partners to implement the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific will continue to be encouraged.
In responding to the political crisis in Myanmar, ASEAN leaders met in Jakarta in April 2021 at Indonesia’s suggestion and produced the Five-Point Consensus. Indonesia will continue to encourage the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus so democracy in Myanmar can be restored through inclusive dialogue. A plane transporting Indonesian humanitarian aid has been dispatched to assist the people of Myanmar.
For the sake of humanity, Indonesia has again accepted Rohingya refugees on a temporary basis. Cooperation with the UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration will continue in handling these refugees.
Indonesia is also continuing to contribute to Afghanistan. Under one Indonesian initiative, an OIC Special Meeting was held in Pakistan to discuss the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan. At Indonesia's suggestion, the importance of developing a road map for the Taliban to fulfill its promises was successfully included in the meeting’s resolution. Two humanitarian flights will soon be dispatched to help the Afghan people. Indonesia has expressed its readiness to contribute to promoting women's rights in Afghanistan.
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Indonesia also maintains a firm commitment to Palestine. In the midst of a highly dynamic situation, Indonesia has consistently accompanied the Palestinian people in their fight for independence and justice.
Indonesia is also still one of the largest contributors to the UN peacekeeping force, ranking 7th in the world.
The network joined the Global Alliance of Regional Women Mediator Networks in April 2021 as the only representative from Asia.
In addition to the increasing number of peacekeepers, Indonesia also increased the proportion of female peacekeepers from 5.9 percent (2020) to 6.7 percent (2021). It also strengthened its stance on promoting issues on women, peace and security through means such as the establishment of the Southeast Asian Network of Women Peace Negotiators and Mediators. The network joined the Global Alliance of Regional Women Mediator Networks in April 2021 as the only representative from Asia.
Democracy and human rights are also issues that Indonesia continues to advance. For this reason, the 14th Bali Democracy Forum will be held this year, with foreign ministers from the US and China to participate virtually.
2022 Challenges
The year 2022 will be an important year for Indonesia. Indonesia will hold the G20 presidency for one year. Its theme "Recover Together, Recover Stronger" has deep meaning as regards the importance of strengthening cooperation, solidarity and inclusivity so the world can recover stronger. Three priorities have been set on strengthening the global health architecture, energy transition and digital transformation.
We all hope that 2022 will be a year of recovery, which can only occur if countries around the world can overcome the still very wide vaccine gap between developed and developing countries, and if big countries can manage their rivalry, especially in the Indo-Pacific region.
5from L) US President Joe Biden, DR Congo President Felix Tshisekedi, French President Emmanuel Macron, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Italy's Prime Minister, Mario Draghi and other world leaders pose during a group photo at the G20 of World Leaders Summit on October 30, 2021 at the convention center "La Nuvola" in the EUR district of Rome.
I remember what President Joko Widodo said when he received the G20 presidency in Rome, that "joint efforts for the recovery of the world economy ... inclusive growth, which is people-centered as well as environmentally friendly and sustainable ... must be carried out with extraordinary ways … especially through stronger world collaboration and continuous innovation”.
Let us hope 2022 will be a year of recovery for Indonesia and the world.
Retno Marsudi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia
(This article was translated by Kurniawan Siswo).
