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ndonesia has repeatedly argued for more multilateral cooperation by underlining the importance of forums such as the G20 in helping nations cope with increasing uncertainties in the sphere of geopolitics and the global economy.

Speaking in a series of meetings hosted by Germany over the weekend, Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi invited members of the G20 — a group of the world’s biggest economies — to renew their commitments to continue mutually beneficial international cooperation.

The first G20 ministerial meeting in Bonn, Germany, was convened as a contribution by the member states’ foreign ministers in overcoming various global challenges and creating peaceful conditions for the growth of the global economy.

Assuming the theme “Shaping the Global Order — Foreign Policy Beyond Crisis Management,” the meeting was split into three sessions, each with its own particular focus.

During the first session, Retno emphasized the importance of international cooperation in order to meet the targets of the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development. She expressed concern for diminishing international and multilateral cooperation commitments as well as the increase of inward looking policies in various countries.

“To ensure the success of the 2030 Agenda globally, the G20 member countries must be able to help developing countries by ensuring adequate capacity building and cooperation in funding and technology for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda,” she said.

In the second G20 session on “maintaining peace in a complex world,” the minister made clear that differences in national interests should not lead to division, and certainly not conflict. In this regard, there needed to be a comprehensive approach, including common efforts to prevent or resolve conflicts peacefully, she argued.

The third G20 session focused on cooperation with Africa.

Meanwhile, Retno also raised the issue of eroding trust in multilateralism during a bilateral meeting with German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel, as well as in a session with a group of middle powers under the banner of Mexico, Indonesia, South Korea, Turkey and Australia (MIKTA).

During talks with Germany, both foreign ministers believed that the G20 ministerial meeting, while initially used as a discussion forum for financial issues, would be able to contribute in creating a climate conducive for continued economic development. With MIKTA, the group’s foreign ministers agreed it was precisely when the world faces multi-dimensional challenges and uncertainty that strong multilateral cooperation was greatly needed.

Retno drove the point home using the example of recent developments relating to Myanmar’s Rakhine state, for which Indonesia has taken the constructive approach, engaging with multiple stakeholders such as religious leaders and international NGOs.