JAKARTA - Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi has encouraged the groups of Mexican countries, Indonesia, South Korea, Turkey and Australia (MIKTA) to become positive forces (positive force) in the midst of a polarized world like today.
While chairing the 24th meeting of the MIKTA Foreign Ministers in New York, USA, on Saturday (23/9), Retno also expects the group to become a bridge builder, which actively seeks to improve relations, foster cooperation, and improve understanding among groups or parties.
"MIKTA must be at the forefront of voicing more inclusive and equal multilateral reforms, encouraging the right to build for all countries, and creating a more resilient and stronger global economy," Foreign Minister Retno said in a statement quoted by Antara, Sunday.
According to him, MIKTA is very appropriate to play a balancing role in the midst of today's very complex global dynamics considering that all MIKTA members are G20 members, have a strong economy and contribute at least 10 percent to global trade, and play a central role in each region.
Furthermore, Retno explained how MIKTA could play a role as a positive strength and bridge builder for polarized issues.
According to him, MIKTA needs to identify global and multilateral agendas where MIKTA can play a major role as a bridge builder, for example related to the issue of climate change in COP 28, and the issue of sustainable development at the Summit of the Future in 2024.
MIKTA as a positive force is also considered to be able to encourage concrete cooperation on the development agenda.
"It is important for MIKTA to explore various concrete projects that have a big impact on developing countries," said Retno.
To make MIKTA remain relevant, he said, MIKTA must be a catalyst in encouraging real cooperation, one of which is through the MIKTA Development Cooperation Network.
Development cooperation programs that can be developed include developing capacity in energy transitions and sharing the best practices in debt management for developing countries. For example, MIKTA has developed a joint project to increase agricultural productivity in Africa.
During the meeting, the foreign ministers of MIKTA expressed their appreciation for the chairmanship of Indonesia in ASEAN and at MIKTA, and agreed with MIKTA's proposal to become a positive force and bridge builder.
In addition to discussing the role of MIKTA in the global order, various other issues were discussed, such as digital transformation, food security, cybersecurity, women's role, disaster management, and humanitarian assistance.
The meeting of the Mikta Foreign Ministers on the sidelines of the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly was initiated by Indonesia, which holds the chairmanship of the MiKTA this year.
Under the chairmanship of Indonesia, various activities have been carried out and various achievements have been obtained, including 10 joint statements in various international forums, including at the level of the head of state/government as well as related to health issues, natural disasters, human rights, women, and employment.
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