Jokowi Mentioned State Rivalry during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Presiden Joko Widodo saat berpidato di Sidang Umum PBB untuk pertama kalinya (Tangkap layar YouTube Sekretariat Presiden)

JAKARTA - For the first time, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) delivered a speech at the 75th General Assembly of the United Nations (UN).

In his Indonesian-language-speech, Jokowi talked about several things, including the issue of war and state rivalries amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jokowi is concerned about the world when there is still conflict that leads to war, hunger, and poverty. It is far from the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law, including respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty.

"Has the world that we wanted been achieved? I don't think so. Conflict still occurs in other parts of the world. Poverty and hunger are still there," said Jokowi in a live video recording on the Presidential Secretariat YouTube account, Tuesday, September 23.

"The principles of the UN Charter and international law are often ignored, including respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty. We are all concerned about this," he added.

This sense of concern, said Jokowi, is getting bigger. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, there is still rivalry between countries. In facing a pandemic, all countries should be able to come together using a mutually beneficial approach.

"We know that the impact of this pandemic is tremendous, both in terms of health and in the socio-economy. We also understand that this virus doesn't recognize national borders. No one is safe until everyone is," he said.

He asked that rivalries between countries must be ended immediately amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Indonesia is worried that this could create shaky policies of stability. "Or disappear. And a peaceful, stable, and prosperous world will be difficult to realize," he said.

It is the first speech for President Jokowi at the UN, during his tenure (2014-2020). In the previous implementation, Indonesia was represented by Vice President Jusuf Kalla.

In a series of events for the UN General Assembly, Jokowi will also make a speech at the General Debate session. It's a session to convey the views of leaders of countries in the world.

Apart from Jokowi, several ministers from the Onward Indonesia Cabinet will also deliver their speeches virtually. Such as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi; Minister of Environment and Forestry, Siti Nurbaya; and Minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection, I Gusti Ayu Bintang.