Strengthening Global Cooperation: Indonesia Advocates for MIKTA’s Role at UN Assembly

USA, RAKYAT NEWS – Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi attended the MIKTA Ministerial Meeting, which includes Mexico, Indonesia, South Korea, Turkey, and Australia, on September 24, 2024.

This meeting took place alongside the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The discussions focused on various global challenges and aimed to enhance cooperation in sustainable development and global governance. This comes in light of the recent adoption of the “Pact of the Future” at the Summit of the Future on September 22, 2024.

During the meeting, Minister Retno highlighted the urgent need to implement the Pact of the Future.

She remarked, “Many are questioning the relevance of UN documents due to the significant gap between commitment and implementation. MIKTA can play a vital role in bridging this gap.”

She emphasized that multilateralism must not only endure but also provide tangible benefits to member countries and the global community. In this context, she raised four key issues for MIKTA to address.

She focused on global governance and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Minister Retno pointed out that data indicates a substantial gap in the implementation of these goals, citing that 60% of targets under SDG 6 are stagnating. “We must narrow this implementation gap,” she urged.

Retno addressed the empowerment of women, specifically calling for collaboration among MIKTA ministers to support women’s rights in Afghanistan. This includes advocating for access to education and employment opportunities for women in the region.

The third issue pertained to the protection of humanitarian workers. Minister Retno expressed her concern over negative campaigns targeting UNRWA, the UN agency that assists Palestinian refugees. She praised the joint statement initiated by Australia regarding the protection of humanitarian workers in conflict zones.

She discussed the dynamics in the Middle East, urging nations to unite in halting humanitarian atrocities committed by Israel.

“We must not allow Lebanon to become a new Gaza,” she stated emphatically.

MIKTA serves as a forum for addressing global challenges and promoting solutions as a “bridge builder.” Established in 2013, MIKTA operates with a rotating presidency, which is currently held by Mexico in 2024. (Uki Ruknuddin)