Foreign Minister Retno: Indonesia's Leadership Recognized By The World

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi commemorates and Promotes International Day for Nuclear Arms Distribution in the United States. (Photo: Doc. ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi revealed Indonesia's success story when he became President of the 2022 G20 and Chairman of ASEAN 2023.

Success is not an easy thing to achieve, because Indonesia carries out its mandate in the midst of a dynamic geopolitical situation.

During the 2022 G20 Presidency, world stability and peace were tested by Russia's invasion of Ukraine since February 24, 2022.

This complicates Russia's foreign relations with Western countries.

"Not many people predict that Indonesia will be able to complete the task of the G20 Presidency well. Due to the very difficult situation at that time. However, with all the capital we have, thank God we can complete the Presidency very well and get very high appreciation," said Retno in a written statement, Saturday, January 6.

After the full task of leading the 20 largest economic countries in the world, Indonesia became the Chair of ASEAN 2023. The situation was also not easy, because Indonesia was charged with the Myanmar political crisis due to the military junta coup on February 1, 2021.

In addition, Indonesia also has the aspiration to make ASEAN the center of world economic growth. This vision is not a figment, because Southeast Asia is the area that benefits the most from energy transition policies.

Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam are one of the three countries with the largest nickel reserves in the world, which is the basic component for assembling electric cars.

Tahun 2023 kita jadi Ketua ASEAN. Harapan publik dunia terhadap kekeuaan Indonesia di ASEAN sangat tinggi. Pada saat yang sama, kita paham bahwa tahun 2022 posisi dunia tidak baik, dan 2023 tidak lebih baik. Jadi saya ingin mengajak kita lihat, di tengah situasi yang tidak baik, kita kembali menjalankan tanggung jawab sebagai Ketua ASEAN, ujar Retno.

Dan posisi masing-masing negara, terutama Barat dengan Rusia dan China, gap posisi mereka di banyak isu sangat besar. Dengan semua aset yang kita miliki dan dukungan banyak pihak, Indonesia berhasil membawa ASEAN ke tingkat yang lebih tinggi, menjadikan ASEAN remains matters, menjadikan Asia Tenggara sebagai epicentrum of growth, ujar Retno.

Apart from that, Indonesia is also building the foundation of the ASEAN 2045 vision, in order to increase regional resilience.

Under the chairmanship of Indonesia, the ASEAN Secretariat located in South Jakarta was later designated as the ASEAN Headquarterer.

The discussion to prepare for the ASEAN 2045 vision was first carried out under the chairmanship of Indonesia. Including starting a green and blue economy discussion. The full membership roadmap of Timor Leste has also been made, just implementing it, "said Retno revealing other achievements.

The former Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to the Netherlands and Norway then quoted one of the publications in The Straits Times, which stated that Indonesia's actions as Chair of ASEAN 2023 deserve appreciation.

Indonesia's leadership is crucial to prevent ASEAN's cancellation. Indonesia must get credit for that effort, because it retains ASEAN in the midst of a challenging geopolitical landscape," said Retno.

Finally, Retno also stated that Indonesia's role in the global arena at the same time denied various speculations, which said that foreign policy under President Joko Widodo would be more domestically oriented.

"From all the data we have, concerns about Indonesia will become inward looking at it at all is not proven, even Indonesia's leadership is recognized by the world. Because when we lead, we also unite the existing differences. The G20 and ASEAN really reflect that," concluded Retno.