Foreign Minister Retno Affirms The Streakness Of Indonesia's Goals Regarding The Elimination Of Total Nuclear Weapons

Foreign Minister Retno attended a nuclear weapons removal meeting. (Source: Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

JAKARTA - Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said the fear of nuclear weapons was not a guarantee of peace, reaffirming Indonesia's determination regarding the elimination of total nuclear weapons.

This was conveyed by Foreign Minister Retno at the Meeting of the High Level of the United Nations General Assembly (UN) to commemorate International Day of the Elimination of Total Nuclear Weapons, underlining Indonesia's strong commitment to realizing a world free from nuclear weapons.

In a speech at the United Nations Headquarters, New York, United States Thursday, Foreign Minister Retno reminded that although the world dreams of a hopeful shared future, the reality is that the world is still in the shadow of the threat of nuclear destruction.

"A total of 13,000 nuclear weapons are still owned by several countries, including those outside the NPT (Nuclear Weapons Non-Proliferation Agreement)," he said, in a statement from the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Friday, September 27.

Foreign Minister Retno further highlighted global concerns over the withdrawal of arms control deals, rising aggressive nuclear rhetoric, as well as technological advances such as artificial intelligence (AI) that further complicate nuclear risk.

"In this gloomy development, we have to ask ourselves: Is the fear of nuclear weapons a guarantee of peace? Indonesia's answer will never be," he stressed.

After officially submitting the ratification instrument of the Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty (TPNW) to the United Nations on September 25, Foreign Minister Retno reiterated that Indonesia refuses to remain silent amid the threat of nuclear war, which today is higher than during the Cold War.

On this occasion, Foreign Minister Retno called for three concrete action steps. First, starting negotiations on the division of weapons seriously. He said silence was not an option.

"We must renew our political will and double our efforts to advance weapons cuts, rebuild trust, and move towards a world free of nuclear weapons," said Foreign Minister Retno.

Next, facing the risk of developing technology. Foreign Minister Retno called for the importance of strong regulation and strict control to prevent an increasing threat of nuclear conflict due to technological advances.

Finally, Foreign Minister Retno said the importance of maintaining peace. According to him, to build peace, there are a number of things that must be put aside, ranging from division, distrust and the old paradigm, as well as choosing the unity of cooperation and commitment to peace.

Closing her speech, Foreign Minister Retno said the choices we made today would form a world for future generations.

"The fear should not be a determinant of our future. Indonesia remains steadfast in its goal of the elimination of total nuclear weapons," concluded Foreign Minister Retno.