US Plans to Withdraw from Dozens of International Organizations, Indonesia Promotes Multilateralism Spirit and Principles

Spokesperson for the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Yvonne Mewengkang. (Rafly/Infomed/Kemlu RI)

JAKARTA - Indonesia will look at the steps of the United States which plans to withdraw from dozens of international organizations, said the spokesperson for the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Yvonne Mewengkang, following the signing of a Presidential Memorandum by President Donald Trump.

Yvonne said that this step has the potential to suppress the future of multilateralism, which is still an important foundation for answering various global challenges.

"We are concerned about the prospect of further straining multilateralism and the world order based on international cooperation," Yvonne told the media, Thursday (8/1).

Regarding this, Yvonne emphasized that for Indonesia, it is important to encourage countries in the world to continue to hold the spirit and principles of multilateralism.

"Like the equality and inclusiveness that we often push for," he said.

He added that the spirit and principle of multilateralism remained relevant in answering various global challenges.

It is known that the President of the United States Donald Trump signed a Presidential Memorandum directing the withdrawal of the United States from 66 international organizations.

In a post on its official White House website, the memorandum ordered all US departments and executive agencies to stop participating in and funding 31 UN entities and 35 non-UN organizations that were deemed contrary to the national interests, security, economic prosperity or sovereignty of the Uncle Sam's country.

The White House said that by exiting the entities, President Trump saved tax dollars and refocused his resources on 'America First' priorities.

Gedung Putuh added, President Trump has consistently fought to protect US sovereignty and ensure international involvement serves the interests of the United States.

Quoted from the Gedung website, a number of UN entities and non-UN international organizations in which the US will withdraw include the Colombo Plan Council, the Commission for Environmental Cooperation, the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund, the Global Counterterrorism Forum, the International Energy Forum, the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the International Law Commission, the International Trade Center, the UN Democracy Fundm UN Energy, the UN Register of Conventional Arms to UN Water.