During a recent visit to Indonesia, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres commended the country for its significant role in fostering global peace and multilateral cooperation. Speaking at the Foreign Policy Circle Talks in Jakarta, Guterres underscored Indonesia’s contributions to international cooperation, global development, and peacekeeping within the UN framework, highlighting its steadfast support for multilateralism.
Guterres praised Indonesia’s diplomatic efforts in the Asia-Pacific region and the Global South, recalling its historical role in hosting the 1955 Asian-African Conference in Bandung, which was pivotal in promoting non-alignment and national self-determination. He emphasized Indonesia’s active participation in international organizations such as the United Nations, ASEAN, the G20, and BRICS, noting its collaborative efforts with ASEAN and the UN in areas like conflict prevention, sustainable development, and human rights.
A significant aspect of Guterres’ visit was Indonesia’s involvement in UN peacekeeping missions. The country currently deploys nearly 2,000 military and police personnel across seven UN peacekeeping operations worldwide. During his time in Indonesia, Guterres visited a peacekeeping training center in Sentul, West Java, where he observed Indonesian personnel preparing for deployment to the UN mission in the Central African Republic. He lauded Indonesia’s training initiatives and its unwavering commitment to international peacekeeping endeavors.
Guterres concluded by affirming that Indonesia’s diplomatic engagement and peacekeeping efforts have bolstered its role in facilitating dialogue and cooperation among countries and regions. His visit and remarks underscore Indonesia’s ongoing influence and leadership in promoting peace and multilateral cooperation on the global stage.