UN Lauds Indonesia`s Disaster Management in Sulawesi, Lombok

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) Antonio Guterres lauded President Joko `Jokowi` Widodo for disaster management in Central Sulawesi and Lombok during a meeting in Nusa Dua, Bali.

Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi welcomed Antonio Guterres who was donning long-sleeve batik as he arrived in Laguna Hotel, Nusa Dua, Bali, Thursday, October 11, at around 08:52 WITA (Central Indonesian Time).

President Jokowi and Antonio Guterres then had a session and talked about various subjects including the earthquakes in Central Sulawesi and the peace issue in Palestine.

Read: Jokowi Admits Disaster Mitigation in Palu Not Yet Optimal

In a press conference after the meeting, Minister Retno said Antonio Guterres offered deepest condolences for the earthquake and tsunami victims in Central Sulawesi and Lombok. He also praised the government’s prompt response in handling the aftermath of the disaster.

“The UN secretary-general says that Indonesian people have high resilience and he praises the quick response of the government thus the situation could be handled in a short period. He says it is not always easy to work in an emergency state,” quoting Guterres, Retno told Tempo today, October 11.

The former prime minister of Portugal also commended Indonesia's position on the peace efforts in Palestine. He considered Indonesia as an essential partner for the UN in creating world peace. Indonesia is known as the major contributor of UN peacekeepers.

Other than with Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi, President Jokowi was also accompanied by the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Wiranto, State Secretary Minister Pratikno, and Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung in the meeting with the UN secretary-general.

EKA YUDHA SAPUTRA