Indonesia and the UNSC
Retno Marsudi
After a lengthy process, Indonesia began serving as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Jan. 1, 2019. Indonesia will retain the position until Dec. 31, 2020.
How should we define Indonesia’s position in the UNSC? What contributions can Indonesia make while serving in the council? Almost all countries in the world desire a seat in the UNSC. Of the 15 members, five are permanent (the Permanent 5, or P5) and 10 are elected (the Elected 10, or E-10) every two years.
From this brief explanation, the heavy struggle involved in winning this contestation can be imagined. The struggle becomes made strenuous when the number of candidates exceeds the number of seats available for certain regions. This occurred during Indonesia’s candidacy. Two candidates emerged in the Asia/Pacific Group, the Maldives and Indonesia. The competition against the Maldives was not an easy one. As a small archipelagic country, the Maldives had the sympathy of other small archipelagic countries that constitute more than half of UN members.
The one thing that maintained Indonesia’s confidence was its track record in diplomacy. Indonesia consistently develops foreign policies that respect international principles.
Through its foreign policies, Indonesia continues to strive to bridge global differences and contribute towards resolving global issues. This is based on the country’s “free and active” foreign policy principle that has always benefited the country. Indonesia’s diplomacy record brought the country to victory, with some 144 of 190 UN member countries voted for Indonesia.
Indonesia’s priorities in the UNSC
Indonesia celebrated its victory; however, it also brings forth a responsibility that must be carried out well.
The responsibilities of a UNSC member in this time of global uncertainties will not be easy. The situation is worsened by the efforts of certain countries to eliminate multilateralism. If multilateralism diminishes for unilateralism to take its place, big powers will dominate smaller ones.
Indonesia has 4+1 priorities during its two-year term in the UNSC. First is to establish a better ecosystem for world peace. In this context, Indonesia is looking at the role of peacekeepers, including ways to increase the role of female peacekeepers. Women and children constitute the largest number of victims in all conflicts and wars. Indonesia wishes women to be part of the efforts to create peace. Women must be empowered to serve as agents of peace.
In this context, Indonesia has continuously increased the number of women in its UN Peacekeeping Operations (PKO). For the first time, Indonesia has hosted peace and security training for female Southeast Asian diplomats.
Second is to establish synergy between the UN and regional organizations. In this context, a strong organization with the capacity to resolve regional problems is required. Synergy is highly useful so that not one problem in the region will be neglected to disrupt regional and global stability and peace. In the case of Southeast Asia, synergy between ASEAN and the UN must be strengthened.
Third is to increase cooperation in fighting transnational crimes, including terrorism. The Christchurch and Sri Lanka attacks remind us of the real threat of terrorism, including those triggered by xenophobia. International cooperation to fight terrorism must be strengthened, including alleviating the root causes. Attention must also be given to regulating social media as a medium for spreading hoaxes, radicalism and terrorism.
Fourth is to strengthen synergy in the efforts to fulfill the Sustainable Development Goals 2015-2030 (2030 SDGs). Fulfilling the SDG targets is vital to the lives of all nations in the world. The SDG targets cannot be achieved if multilateralism continues to be eroded and international cooperation is not pushed.
Surely, the least developed countries (LDCs) will not have the capacity to achieve their SDG targets without strong international cooperation. If the SDG targets are not achieved, world peace and stability will be disrupted.
Palestine
These are Indonesia’s four priorities as a UNSC member. Apart from these four priorities, there is one other issue that has always been closely tied to Indonesia’s diplomacy and foreign policy priorities, namely that of Palestine. In the first weeks of the holy month of Ramadan, lives have been lost in Gaza, including pregnant women and under-5 children.
What is continuing to happen in Gaza is a symptom of a larger disease (root cause): that of Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestinian lands. Peace will never exist in the Middle East as long as the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is not justly resolved through the parameters agreed by the world.
“Justly, through parameters agreed by the world” is the key phrase in resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Various UNSC resolutions explain these parameters, which means that it is the duty of all parties to respect it and follow up on them. The resolutions include the status of East Jerusalem as the Palestinian capital.
Everyone knows that Palestine has a long and winding road lies ahead. However, we should never give up. Indonesia will define its UNSC membership in the term of strengthening its support for the Palestinian struggle. Apart from giving political support, Indonesia will continue to provide other forms of support for Palestine, such as relief aid for Palestinian refugees, capacity development for women refugees and economic empowerment initiatives.
This year, Indonesia has implemented a zero-percent tariff for several Palestinian export products to the Indonesian market. Indonesia also prioritizes Palestine in its distribution of development cooperation aid.
Apart from Gaza, where Indonesia has established a hospital on behalf of the Indonesian people, the Indonesian Council of Ulemas (MUI), with the full support of the Indonesian government, plans to build a hospital in Hebron.
All powers must unite in support for the struggle of the Palestinian people. The one hope that Indonesia has continued to hold for Palestine is a united Palestine. Without unity, it will be difficult for the Palestinian struggle to bear any fruit.
Indonesia’s chairmanship
May is a special month for Indonesia, when it will preside over the UNSC for the entire month. Under the theme of “Investing in Peace”, Indonesia will strive to create a better global ecosystem for peace.
On May 7, 2019, Indonesia held a meeting on the PKO. Many have deemed that the PKO has been successful in peacekeeping efforts thus far. However, these peacekeepers require better training in capacity development to enable them to carry out their duties effectively in line with the wider mandate and broader challenges. Special attention was given to the role of women in the PKO at the May 7 meeting.
On May 9, Indonesia held a meeting on Palestine, with a special focus on illegal settlements. All UN and UNSC members attended the meeting. The Palestinian Foreign Minister also attended the meeting. During the meeting, almost all UNSC members said that adherence to international law, especially UN resolutions on the construction of illegal settlements in Palestinian soil, was important.
On May 23, Indonesia will chair another summit on the protection of civilians in armed conflicts.
Apart from this, a series of events awaits Indonesia during its chairmanship, including: (i) two informal meetings on the Peacebuilding Commission and refugees; (ii) meetings to adopt four UN missions in UNISFA, UNAMI, AMISOM and South Sudan; (iii) 22 briefings and consultative meetings, and anticipating the possibility of new issues that require discussions at the UNSC.
Of no less importance is that, during Indonesia’s chairmanship, Indonesia will strive for more transparence and inclusivity in the UNSC’s work. Indonesia will also bridge the interests of UN and UNSC members.
Serving as a UNSC member is an honor and proof of global recognition. However, therein lies a huge responsibility. Indonesia will strive to carry out this responsibility as well as possible.
Peace is not something that just emerges from nowhere. We must all work hard to achieve it. Indonesia will continue to be part of the effort to establish world peace, Insya Allah (God willing).
Retno Marsudi, Foreign Minister, the Republic of Indonesia
