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Indonesian Foreign Minister defended participation in BRICS, called for reform at the UN
Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono on Friday defended the country's decision to join the BRICS and said Jakarta under President Prabowo Subianto would be “at the forefront” of reform efforts at the United Nations.
In his first New Year's speech since he took office in October, Sugiono responded to criticism that Indonesia's participation in the BRICS pointed to an orientation towards the bloc's two founding members, China and Russia, which would be a deviation from Jakarta's principle of non-connection.
“On the contrary, Indonesia's BRICS membership is a symbol of Indonesia's independent and active foreign policy,” Sugiono said.
“As a member of the BRICS, Indonesia will bridge the interests of developing countries and the Indo-Pacific region and continue to actively prevent the sharpening of geo-economic and geopolitical competition,” he added.
Brazil, which heads the BRICS this year, announced on Monday that Southeast Asia's largest economy officially joined as the last full member of the bloc. The group, which consists of emerging economies, has started to stand out in recent years with the desire to create a counterbalance against Western influence in global institutions.
Negotiations with Western institutions continue
In addition to being a member of other multilateral organizations such as the G20 and the US-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, Sugiono said it is also conducting membership talks with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, a bloc of rich countries. Indonesia also applied to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement trade pact.
Global South emphasis
In his hour-long speech, Sugiono also spoke of Indonesia's desire to play more active roles on the global stage and represent the voices of the Global South in accordance with the status of “a great nation” under the leadership of Prabowo.
He emphasized that the United Nations needs reforms to eliminate inequality between its rich and poor members.
“Indonesia will be at the forefront of its efforts to mobilize multilateral reforms to support and strengthen the United Nations to better serve its goals,” Sugiono said, adding that there is a need for a 'strong and inclusive' international financial architecture and more space for Global South leadership.
Touching on the issue of the South China Sea, Sugiono emphasized that Indonesia will continue to encourage constructive dialogues between countries with overlapping claims at sea.
He said Indonesia is "consistent" in protecting international law at sea. "I emphasize Indonesia's stance on prioritizing peaceful resolutions to tensions and finding a common ground where mutually beneficial cooperation can be achieved," he said.
The agreement that Jakarta signed for a joint maritime development in the disputed sea with Beijing during Prabobo's visit to China in November drew attention.
Stating that Indonesia will continue to work actively with other members of ASEAN, Sugiono stressed the "unity and centralism" of the 10-member bloc in addressing the Indo-Pacific issues as well as the Myanmar crisis.
Referring to the conflicts in the Middle East, the minister said Indonesia will continue to support Palestine and called for a ceasefire, a two-state solution and holding Israel accountable for the civilian deaths in Gaza. Indonesia is home to the world's largest Muslim population and the public in general expresses their support for Palestine.
Sugiono also touched on this year's economic diplomacy priorities, citing the Pacific countries, Africa and the Caribbean as new target markets for Indonesia's export and investment targets.