Lupa Kata Sandi? Klik di Sini

atau Masuk melalui

Belum Memiliki Akun Daftar di Sini


atau Daftar melalui

Sudah Memiliki Akun Masuk di Sini

Konfirmasi Email

Kami telah mengirimkan link aktivasi melalui email ke rudihamdani@gmail.com.

Klik link aktivasi dan dapatkan akses membaca 2 artikel gratis non Laput di koran dan Majalah Tempo

Jika Anda tidak menerima email,
Kirimkan Lagi Sekarang

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi: Rivalry Is Getting Fiercer During Pandemic

Translator

Tempo.co

Editor

Laila Afifa

19 September 2020 23:46 WIB

TEMPO.CO, JakartaAmid her desperate hunt for Covid-19 vaccines, Foreign Minister Retno Lestari Priansari Marsudi managed to successfully led Indonesia’s presidency over United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in August.

ON August 28, UNSC members agreed to adopt Resolution 2538 on female personnel in UN peacekeeping missions proposed by Indonesia. "This is the first Indonesia-sponsored resolution during our membership in the UNSC," Retno Marsudi, 57, enthused during a special interview with Tempo last Friday, September 4.

Indonesia, one of 10 non-permanent UNSC members, also proposed a counter-terrorism resolution, but the draft failed to get passed after the United States of America blocked it albeit the support from the remaining 14 members including the four members with veto power. Retno said the US wanted foreign fighters to be included in the resolution, although it was not intended to address the issue.

As for Covid-19 vaccines, together with State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Minister Erick Thohir and Bio Farma's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Honesti Basyir, Retno traveled to China and the United Arab Emirates where they secured commitments for 340 million doses of vaccines to be supplied until the end of next year. "We've also spoken to various parties including AstraZeneca, Imperial College of London, Gavi (Vaccine Alliance), CEPI (Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations), and COVAZ facility" she added.

During the video interview from her office, Retno talked to Tempo reporters Sapto Yunus, Mahardika Satria Hadi, Abdul Manan, and Hussein Abri Dongoran about various issues, from Indonesia's role during its presidency of the UNSC, the search for Covid-19 vaccines, to entry bans against Indonesian travelers by several countries. The interview was supplemented with WhatsApp chats on Wednesday, September 9.

What were Indonesia's considerations behind the proposal of the resolution regarding female personnel in UN peacekeeping missions?

This is the first Indonesia-sponsored resolution during our membership in the United Nations Security Council. If you look in recent years, issues such as women, peace and security have always been mainstreamed in our foreign policies. We see that women always are part of solutions including in peace and security matters.

How was it lobbied until it was passed?

There were a series of initiatives prelude to it. Last year, for example, we conducted training on women, peace and security for female diplomats from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries. This year, we trained not only diplomats but also negotiators and mediators. We want to establish a network of female negotiators and mediators in Southeast Asia that is connected to other (similar) networks around the world. We also set up the Indonesia-Afghanistan women's network.

How far did Indonesia's presidency help facilitate the endorsement of the resolution?

Quite significantly, especially when I am a woman. This is the second time Indonesia held the presidency and it was not easy this time because first of all, we were at the height of the (Covid-19) pandemic. Secondly, we were in the middle of fierce rivalries among the major powers on almost all fronts, a situation that clearly influenced the discussions within the UNSC. We were consistent in using diplomacy to 'bridge' all kinds of differences.

Did you expect Resolution 2538 to receive unanimous support from all the UN member countries?

We were also surprised. We initiated this resolution from the UNSC and it turned out any countries wanted to co-sponsor it. So, Resolution 2538 was supported and co-sponsored by all the UNSC members plus other non-UNSC members. In total, 97 countries co-sponsored it. The huge support signifies that women empowerment is the cause the whole world is keen to champion.

How about the role of Indonesian women personnel in UN peacekeeping missions?

I've visited our peacekeeping forces on UN missions. The last was in UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon), Lebanon where we have our largest force. I saw how critical women's role in many conflict areas because, for example, by traditions or customs, women are more comfortable talking to women. Women and children are more eager to accept female personnel especially when it comes to services for health care and counseling for psychological trauma. If I'm not mistaken, we currently have 158 female personnel among the total 2,800 Indonesian personnel in UN peacekeeping missions. It's still a small percentage.

Read the Full Interview in Tempo English Magazine



PDIP: We are Solid Behind the Right of Inquiry

2 hari lalu

PDIP: We are Solid Behind the Right of Inquiry

PDIP Secretary-General Hasto Kristiyanto explains the right of inquiry into alleged fraud in the 2024 General Elections.


Indonesia, New Zealand Explore Partnership on Halal Products

4 hari lalu

Indonesia, New Zealand Explore Partnership on Halal Products

Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi met with her New Zealand counterpart Winston Peters in Jakarta on Thursday, March 14.


The Government has Difficulty Gaining Access to Religious Educational Institutions

9 hari lalu

The Government has Difficulty Gaining Access to Religious Educational Institutions

KPAI Chair Ai Maryati Solihah on bullying cases in educational institutions such as the recent incidents at the Binus High School.


Indonesia's Aviation Sector to Recover 100% in 2024 Post COVID-19 Pandemic

11 hari lalu

Indonesia's Aviation Sector to Recover 100% in 2024 Post COVID-19 Pandemic

The recovery in the aviation sector post-COVID-19 pandemic has reached 83 percent.


General Election Commission Chair, Hasyim Asy'ari: I Have to Acknowledge There are Still Problems

16 hari lalu

General Election Commission Chair, Hasyim Asy'ari: I Have to Acknowledge There are Still Problems

KPU Chair Hasyim Asy'ari explains the problems during the 2024 elections and the ethical violation KPU committed in Gibran's nomination registration.


Retno Marsudi Advocates for Palestinian Rights at UN Human Rights Council

19 hari lalu

Retno Marsudi Advocates for Palestinian Rights at UN Human Rights Council

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi takes a firm stance on the rights of Palestinians during the 55th Session of the UN Human Rights Council, in Geneva.


One-Quarter of Gaza Population 'One Step Away from Famine', UN Says

19 hari lalu

One-Quarter of Gaza Population 'One Step Away from Famine', UN Says

At least 576,000 people in the Gaza Strip are one step away from famine, UN OCHA reported.


Rosan Perkasa Roeslani, Prabowo-Gibran Campaign Team Chief: Our Victory is Legitimate

23 hari lalu

Rosan Perkasa Roeslani, Prabowo-Gibran Campaign Team Chief: Our Victory is Legitimate

The Prabowo-Gibran National Campaign Team Chief Rosan Perkasa Roeslani responds to allegations of election fraud that purportedly benefitted the pair.


Indonesia's Retno Marsudi Urges G20 Members to Increase Support for Palestine

25 hari lalu

Indonesia's Retno Marsudi Urges G20 Members to Increase Support for Palestine

Retno Marsudi asks G20 countries to increase support for Palestine in a ministerial-level G20 meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Wednesday.


United States Vetoes Third Ceasefire Resolution on Gaza

27 hari lalu

United States Vetoes Third Ceasefire Resolution on Gaza

United States on Tuesday again vetoed a draft resolution on the hostilities in Gaza, blocking a demand for an immediate ceasefire.