Indonesia can now propose and vote for or against resolutions that are legally binding to UN member states. However, beyond this apparent benefit, there are added advantages of being a non-permanent UNSC member.

Firstly, it gives greater credence to Indonesian diplomacy. Indeed, there is a perception that UNSC membership, even a non-permanent one, can elevate a country’s global presence. This prominence derives from the legitimacy of the Security Council as the primary UN body for global security. There is a sense that a country’s prominence in global politics is affirmed once it has been elected to a seat on the council.

In the case of Indonesia, this affirmation is especially apparent in its fourth successful campaign for a seat on the council. It reflects the world’s appreciation for Indonesia’s efforts to remain an independent and constructive power that has emphasized building consensus over engaging in conflict within various international organizations and forums. This is the result of Indonesia’s good track record as a responsible global actor or, to borrow Indonesia’s UNSC campaign tagline, “a true partner of world peace”.

There is one particularly useful example of this effort in practice. During its previous UNSC tenure in 2008, Indonesia was the only country to abstain when the council voted on a United States-sponsored resolution to tighten sanctions of Iran amidst an ongoing investigation by the International Atomic Energy Agency. Indonesia believed that Iran still showed goodwill in following the process and therefore decided against the proposed resolution by abstaining.

In the UNSC system, abstention by non-permanent members has the same effect as voting “no”. Indonesia’s “vote” therefore showed it has the backbone to support an independent foreign policy position that was the opposite of major powers.

Furthermore, a seat on the council also provides Indonesia with the chance to pursue its agenda of UNSC reform.

On the one hand, Indonesia is likely to further discussions on various items pertaining to UNSC reform, such as promoting a more inclusive UNSC membership that better accommodates developing countries and better represents Asia and Africa. Indonesia will also continue discussions on the best way to reform the UNSC voting process, especially with regard to the veto rights of permanent member states.

There are roles that Indonesia can play more effectively only from within the UNSC. One of these is bridging UNSC member states with non-member states. As a member, Indonesia can broaden consultation between the UNSC and other UN member states. Indonesia can also continue to ensure that relevant UN member states are well informed on what is happening within the UNSC, such as on the positions of different members and on progress in discussions regarding certain issues.

Not only will this help the UNSC to become more than just a club for the elite, fulfilling such a role in two years is more feasible compared to the wider UNSCC reform agenda.

All of these are important advantages for Indonesia’s diplomacy. But the biggest challenge is at home, where the government has to ensure that the public is aware of these advantages. The abovementioned advantages are more “symbolic” and “procedural”, and relevant only in the purview of international relations. Meanwhile, the public at home tends to prefer “practical” or “material” advantages.

It is possible to link the advantages in international relations with those more palatable for domestic consumption. For example, foreign policy officials could say that greater legitimacy will mean Indonesia has more weight in dealing with issues that are popular at home, such as independence for Palestine and promoting the products of the national defense industry, like PT Pindad, for peacekeeping missions around the world.

However, such responses can still leave a gap between domestic expectations and the diplomatic reality.

The fact is that Indonesia is becoming an increasingly prominent actor on various international issues. Progress in key issues necessitates Indonesia to play a more active role in strategic arenas like the UNSC, ASEAN, G20 and MIKTA. It is therefore important for Indonesia to cultivate domestic support not only for traditionally popular issues, but also for more normative or less familiar causes like peacekeeping and climate change.

Indonesia’s diplomacy has received worldwide acknowledgement. It deserves equally strong acknowledgement from home, too.

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The writer is head of International Relations at The Habibie Center. The views expressed here are his own.

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