Jakarta: Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi emphasized that Indonesia’s diplomacy in the last decade has demonstrated that it is one of the major players at the regional and global level and not a spectator. Marsudi made the remark at the 2024 Annual Press Statement of the Minister of Foreign Affairs held at the Merdeka Building, Bandung, West Java, on Monday. Marsudi cited the Australia-based independent think tank, Lowy Institute, that placed Indonesia as a middle power in Asia, with diplomatic influence and comprehensive power that continued to increase.
It was also said that Indonesia’s diplomacy had the most significant influence in Southeast Asia in 2023. The minister noted that Indonesia’s leadership is acknowledged by the world, including in steering ASEAN during its chairmanship in 2023. “Indonesia’s leadership in the region is pivotal in preventing the balkanization of ASEAN as a regional organization,” she remarked at the event.
The minister stated that Indonesia’s diplomacy in the region continues to work to ensure that the ASEAN remains relevant and to maintain the bloc’s centrality in navigating geopolitical dynamics in the region. In 2019, Indonesia had initiated the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) that encourages concrete and inclusive cooperation as a response to the dynamics of increasing rivalries in the region.
Regarding the developments in Myanmar, Marsudi stated that the issue continues to be a matter of concern for Indonesia. Throughout Indonesia’s ASEAN chairmanship, more than 265 engagements have been carried out with Myanmar stakeholders to encourage progress in the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus to help Myanmar come out of the crisis.
“Democracy and stability in Myanmar will be key to the settlement of the Rohingya issue, so that they can return to their home in a dignified manner,” she remarked. At the multilateral level, Indonesia also continues to voice the strengthening of the multilateral system, including the reforms of the United Nations (UN), which is currently deemed no longer relevant and does not respond to the challenges of the times.
