Prabowo Leads Indonesian Delegation At The UN High School, Ministry Of Foreign Affairs: Commitment To Indonesian Leadership

Ambassador Umar Hadi (L) and Ambassador Tri Tharyat gave a press statement. (VOI Fauzi)

JAKARTA - The presence of the Indonesian delegation at the 2025 UN General Assembly which was chaired directly by President Prabowo Subianto marked Indonesia's commitment to leadership in international forums, said an official from the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The United Nations General Assembly (SMU) session this year officially opened on September 9. Meanwhile, High-level Week will be held on September 22-30.

President Prabowo will directly lead the Indonesian delegation, after in the period of President Joko Widodo's administration, the Indonesian presence was represented by Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi.

Held with the age of 80 years of the United Nations, this year's United Nations High School led by Germany carries the theme "Better Together: 80 Years and More for Peace, Development and Human Rights", said Director General of Multilateral Cooperation of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Tri Tharyat.

"On September 23, a general debate session began presenting representatives from all 193 UN members," said Ambassador Tri in a press statement Thursday, September 11.

A no less important meeting is a meeting at the Two-State Solution or "High-level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution" on September 22.

Tri revealed, a total of 176 participation invitations for Indonesia at all levels, from the head of state to the director general's level, outside the series of bilateral meetings.

"If it is detailed that there are 11 events based on the mandate of the United Nations, 9 official UN events, 13 forums outside the United Nations, 144 side events and other meetings," he explained.

President Prabowo is scheduled to speak on the 23rd or first day of the general debate session and have a third speech turn after Brazil and the United States.

Tri has not shared details about what President Prabowo will appoint, but mentions, among others, global dynamics today, the Palestinian issue, and encourages Astacita vision programs, multilateral system reforms, to encourage the role of South Global countries guided by the Spirit of Bandung (Aso-Africa Summit).

Meanwhile, the Director General of European America who is also the Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia for the United Nations in New York Ambassador Umar Hadi said the current situation is different from 80 years ago when the United Nations was founded, making this year's UN General High School unusual.

"Currently, the number of UN member countries is 193 countries, different from when the United Nations was founded 80 years ago, 51 countries. This reflects the achievements of the United Nations," he explained.

"Then the weight of the country is different. Countries that used to weigh, are not necessarily the most weight. Because, many countries are independent after 1945, the weight is now extraordinary. For example, Indonesia, India, Brazil, Egypt and so on," explained Ambassador Umar Hadi.

"Then, the form of the actor. The state is not the only actor now. For example there are multinational companies that can influence international norms, Non-Govermental Organization (NGO)," he said.

Seeing this difference, the United Nations as an organization must evolve, adapting to the world's realities, he said.

"This is why this year is important. Many countries agree that the United Nations must undergo reforms. But, what the reforms are like, this continues to be discussed," he explained.

He added that there are three reasons why Indonesia is important to attend this year's UN High School.

"First, affirming our country's commitment to multilateralism, the importance of multilateralism, including through the UN system," said Ambassador Umar Hadi.

"Updating other UN member states regarding the development of our situation and what our priorities are in the future, of course, is to participate in implementing world order based on independence, eternal peace and social justice," he continued.

"In fact, Indonesia on various global issues has leadership, such as the environment, human rights, SDGs, Palestine, there are our leadership roles, our contribution to the United Nations, including UN reforms, that's why this year's Indonesian delegation is led by the President," he concluded.