Indonesia Focuses on Terror Prevention, Peacekeeping as Non-Permanent UN Security Council Member
Jakarta. Indonesia has been focusing on the prevention and eradication of terrorism funding, and conflict resolution in the Middle East since assuming its seat as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council in January, a government official said last week.
"We have been in the Security Council since Jan. 1, 2019… in the first three months we discussed terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, New Zealand, Afghanistan, the Philippines and Iran," Febrian A. Ruddyard, director general of multilateral cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said in Jakarta on March 28.
He said Indonesia also ensures that the council attends to all acts of terrorism equally.
One of Indonesia's achievements as non-permanent member so far is the drafting of a resolution on extending the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, or Unama.
"This is our first ever resolution we ever drafted; this is Indonesia's achievement," Febri said.
Middle Eastern conflict, including Palestine, were also addressed in the forum. He said Indonesia would continue to support Palestine by promoting the "two-state solution" to end the conflict.
"The two-state solution is the most reasonable solution and we also talked about humanitarian crisis management in Gaza," Febri said.
He added that Indonesia has succeeded to show within the Security Council that the United States is the only country hampering peace between Israel and Palestine.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi visited a Palestinian refugee camp in Jordan during March last year to deliver the Indonesian government's commitment of $1 million in humanitarian aid.
Peacekeeping
Indonesia will assume the rotating presidency of the Security Council in May, which according to Febri, will see UN peacekeeping efforts topping the agenda.
"We would like to strengthen UN peacekeeping and the role of women in peacekeeping activities," he explained.
To enforce this commitment, Indonesia will convene assemblies on peacekeeping operations and protection of civilians in armed conflicts.
During its council presidency, Indonesia will also head the sanctions committee on Islamic State, Al Qaida, the Taliban and nuclear weapons, the foreign ministry official said.
Support for New Resolution
The ministry meanwhile also said in a press release on Tuesday that Indonesia supported a UN General Assembly resolution on combating acts of terrorism and religiously motivated violence, following the recent attack by a gunman on two mosques in New Zealand.
"No country is free from racism, intolerance and hatred…there is a demand for joint actions to encourage global dialogue, promoting tolerance and peace," Retno told the General Assembly, as quoted in the statement.
During the session, Indonesia stated its readiness to share its experiences as a country that has succeeded in maintaining peace and harmony, despite significant cultural, religious and racial diversity.
Indonesia was one of the co-sponsors of the UN resolution condemning the New Zealand attacks, which claimed the lives of 50 people, including an Indonesian citizen.
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