Indonesia will not be dragged into an exclusive bloc, Foreign Minister Sugiono: Free to be active does not mean passive or neutral.

Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sugiono speaking at the 10th Jakarta Geopolitical Forum. (Source: Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

JAKARTA - Indonesia will not be dragged into exclusive blocs, with active free foreign policy does not mean passive or neutral, according to Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono, highlighting Indonesia's presence in ASEAN to BRICS.

Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sugiono emphasized that Indonesia will continue to strengthen multilateralism so that it is still able to work in the midst of an increasingly fragmented and uncertain world.

The message was conveyed by Foreign Minister Sugiono in a keynote speech at the 10th Jakarta Geopolitical Forum (JGF) which was held by the National Resilience Institute (Lemhannas) RI.

In his speech, Foreign Minister Sugiono emphasized that free foreign policy is not only relevant, but is increasingly needed in the face of current global geopolitical dynamics.

In the midst of an increasingly fragmented world and marked by strategic rivalries, Indonesia is free to actively provide space for Indonesia to determine its own stance, while still actively contributing to world peace, stability, and order.

Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sugiono speaking at the 10th Jakarta Geopolitical Forum. (Source: Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

"Being free to be active does not mean being passive or neutral. Indonesia will not be dragged into exclusive blocs, but will continue to build bridges and expand its strategic space," explained Foreign Minister Sugiono, launching the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thursday (9/7).

Furthermore, the RI Menu also underlined that the current weakness of the multilateral system should not be an excuse to abandon multilateralism.

Instead, the system must be improved to be more representative, inclusive, adaptive, and effective.

"The global governance that was built in 1945 needs to continue to be updated so that it remains relevant in the face of the reality of the world in 2045," said Foreign Minister Sugiono.

In this context, Indonesia will maintain and improve the multilateralism system, by continuing to encourage global governance reform, including a more transparent, democratic, effective, and accountable UN Security Council.

Indonesia will also continue to voice these interests through various forums.

"Participation in BRICS, active role in G20, leadership in ASEAN, involvement in D-8 and with the Global South, as well as the accession process to the OECD, are all part of the same principle, namely expanding the strategic space of Indonesian diplomacy," explained Foreign Minister Sugiono.

Foreign Minister Sugiono also emphasized that effective diplomacy must be supported by strong national resilience.

"Food security is strategic autonomy. Energy security is national security. Human resources are geopolitical capacity. And technology is not only innovation, but also power," said Foreign Minister Sugiono.

Closing his speech, Foreign Minister Sugiono conveyed Indonesia's commitment to continue to be present and maintain multilateralism. "Multilateralism can still work, but it can't run on autopilot," he concluded.

It is known that JGF is an annual forum held by Lemhannas RI to discuss various global geopolitical issues.

This forum brings together participants from government, military, academia, think tanks, international organizations, private sector, and media.