Indonesian Foreign Minister: The Spirit Of Bandung Guides In Respecting Other Countries And Solving Conflicts Through Dialogue

The impact of Russian airstrikes on Ukraine. (Wikimedia Commons/Kharkivoda.gov.ua)

JAKARTA - Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia Retno Marsudi emphasized the importance of making the "Bandung Spirit" (referring to the Spirit of the Asia Afrika Summit in Bandung in 1955) the main basis for Global South Countries in encouraging peace in Ukraine.

This statement was made at the Ministerial Meeting of Global South Countries, which was held on the sidelines of the 79th UN General Assembly in New York, United States, Friday.

This meeting brought together various representatives of the country to find peaceful solutions to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

In his speech, the Indonesian Foreign Minister highlighted that Bandung Spirit, which emphasized the principles of solidarity, cooperation, and respect for territorial sovereignty and integrity, remains relevant in facing current global challenges, including conflicts in Ukraine.

"The spirit of Bandung must be a guide for all of us in respecting the country's sovereignty and resolving conflicts through dialogue, not violence," said the Indonesian Foreign Minister, in a statement from the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on September 28.

Furthermore, the Indonesian Foreign Minister emphasized that Global South countries have a moral responsibility to continue to be a positive force in maintaining world peace and stability.

"Global South must always be a force that promotes inclusive solutions, not confrontations. We must keep solidarity and cooperation on the basis of our actions," said the Indonesian Foreign Minister.

On that occasion, the Indonesian Foreign Minister also reminded that the longer the Ukrainian conflict continues, the greater the threat to international peace and security. Therefore, the most important thing is that international law must be consistently enforced, not selectively.

"Indonesia will always be in the positive power line and ready to contribute to peace efforts," said the Indonesian Foreign Minister.

Closing his statement, the Indonesian Foreign Minister invited all countries to renew their commitment to a just and peaceful world order, as confirmed at the Asia-Africa Conference in Bandung.

"Let's continue to maintain Bandung Spirit, for the sake of realizing global peace based on solidarity, equality and justice," concluded the Indonesian Foreign Minister.

The meeting adopted the Joint Communique of Foreign Ministers and senior officials from key countries of the Global South such as Indonesia, RRT, Brazil, South Africa, Egypt, and Turkey regarding the importance of peacefully encouraging de-escalation and resolving the Ukraine-Russian conflict.

Bandung Spirit, which emphasizes the principles of solidarity and mutual partnership, is one of the references in the Joint Communique.