TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
Indonesia launches campaign for UN Security Council seat
Vice President Jusuf Kalla marked the beginning of Indonesia's campaign for a non-permanent UN Security Council (UNSC) seat for the 2019-2020 period by striking a gong in a reception ceremony at the UN headquarters in New York on Thursday.
Change Size
For world peace: Witnessed by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo (right), Vice President Jusuf Kalla explains Indonesia’s economic situation during a plenary Cabinet meeting at the State Palace in Jakarta on Sept.9. Kalla started Indonesia’s campaign for a UN Security Council non-permanent seat in an event in New York on Sept. 22. (Antara/Widodo S. Jusuf)
V
ice President Jusuf Kalla marked the beginning of Indonesia's campaign for a non-permanent UN Security Council (UNSC) seat for the 2019-2020 period by striking a gong in a reception ceremony at the UN headquarters in New York on Thursday.
Hundreds of foreign diplomats attended the event, which put on display various Indonesian cultural performances throughout the night. Abdul Haris, the chairman of the House of Representatives’ Commission I, which oversees defense and foreign affairs, was also present.
"There has been a lot of support from many countries but we must continue to lobby further support," Kalla said as quoted by Antara news agency, on Thursday evening local time.
Maldives posed as another strong contender but Indonesia had a greater chance of winning the seat, he further said.
Earlier, Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi said “The True Partner for World Peace” would be Indonesia’s campaign theme in striving to win the non-permanent security council seat.
“If we talk about Indonesia’s diplomacy, Indonesia’s role as [an agent of] world peace has been widely known. We have contributed a lot to democracy […] The Bali Democracy Forum is one of our activities that have been running globally. So, Indonesia’s contributions to spread [democratic] values have been highly acclaimed,” said Retno.
The UNSC has two types of memberships, namely permanent and non-permanent members. Permanent members comprise the US, the UK, China, France and Russia.
Meanwhile, non-permanent members are selected annually through a voting system. Indonesia has previously been a non-permanent member three times during the periods of 1973-1974, 1995-1996 and most recently 2007-2008. (liz/ebf)
