T

he UN is not doing its job as a “vehicle” for achieving world order as none of its Security Council members have made successful attempts to end increasingly rampant conflicts, a former diplomat said on Saturday.

Former foreign minister Hasan Wirayuda said the UN Security Council (UNSC), which is mandated to maintain global security, had not fulfilled its goal.

“It is heartbreaking that the war lasting for five years in Syria has killed roughly 301,000 people and wounded millions of others. None of the UN Security Council members have scheduled a hearing on how to stop the war,” Hasan said.

The former minister was speaking at the Conference on Indonesian Foreign Policy 2016, organized by the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia (FPCI).

“Indonesia should be more frequently involved in the UN Security Council considering Indonesia’s significance as a middle power country,” he added.

Many observers have called for UN reforms, especially in membership and veto power issues.

Vice President Jusuf Kalla is set to attend the 71st UN General Assembly (UNGA), which starts on Monday and will run until Sept. 29, to launch Indonesia’s campaign to become a non-permanent UNSC member in 2017 and 2018.

Indonesia is eyeing a seat that will be left vacant by Kazakhstan. Previously, Indonesia has served as a non-permanent member in 1974 to 1975, 1995 to 1996 and 2007 to 2008.

By becoming a UNSC member, Indonesia is optimistic that it would be able to promote world peace.

“By being one of the council’s members, Indonesia’s voice could directly be heard. It is where Indonesia can take part in realizing world order,” said Foreign Ministry spokesman Arrmanatha Nasir.

Middle power countries such as Indonesia needed to be more effective and active in utilizing diplomacy so that they could bring about global change, FPCI founder Dino Patti Djalal said separately.

“It is becoming a trend now for middle power countries to play the biggest role in having an impact on international relations,” he said, adding that he supported Indonesia’s campaign to become a UNSC member.

“Bringing peace to the world has been one of our biggest tasks, since a long time ago,” Dino said.

Reuters reported on Sunday that the spotlight would be on Syria when world leaders gathered at the UNGA as the US and Russia try to shore up a fragile truce deal and US President Barack Obama pushes for a boost in global refugee aid.

Some 135 heads of state and government and dozens of ministers will attend the UNGA, the last for both Obama and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who will step down at the end of 2016 after a decade in the job. (vny)