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resident Susilo Bambang Yu-dhoyono claimed that Indonesia had successfully raised its global profile through the participation of the Indonesian delegation at the 67th UN General Assembly in New York.

“In many forums that we attended here in the UN, many countries have expressed an interest in enhancing relationships with Indonesia, particularly in the economic sector given our positive economic growth amid the recession in many other parts of the world,” Yudhoyono told journalists on Wednesday local time, at a press briefing on the sidewalk opposite the UN headquarters.

“We have seen various ideas by UN member states in response to many global issues, such as [the uprising] in Syria, the circulation of the video deemed as anti-Islamic, poverty eradication and many others,” the President said.

“Some countries said harsh and strong words, some others softer and less harsh. But Indonesia remained consistent, focused, sharp but constructive, using measured words,” he went on.

Earlier on Wednesday, Yudho-yono was invited to deliver a speech before representatives of the g7+ member states, countries considered under-developed and fragile, in a high-level meeting co-hosted by Afghanistan, Liberia and Timor Leste on the sidelines of the General Assembly.

 “In my remarks before the General Assembly yesterday [Tuesday], I underlined the importance of collaboration and global partnership between developing and developed countries. In this complex and interlinked world, no country can cope with all the global challenges by itself,” Yudhoyono said in his speech.

 Sitting next to him was Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard who was present at the forum as an observer. “I welcome the New Deal for Engagement in Fragile States — a landmark document that envisions the transition of countries from fragility to sustainable peace and development. The document reflects the determination of g7+ countries to pursue, country-owned and country-led plans to build peace,” Yu-dhoyono went on.

 The President also touted Indonesia’s success story in managing domestic conflict such as the peace-building efforts in Aceh after decades of armed conflict.

 Yudhoyono also mentioned Indonesia’s consistency in participating in global peacekeeping efforts and pushing for peacemaking efforts in the Middle East and the democratization of Myanmar.

 “For its part, Indonesia has also been promoting equitable development as well as sustainable growth with equity. We are determined to significantly reduce inequality, because it creates hatred, tension, conflict, violence and even war,” he said.

 “Over the years, Indonesia has been consistently utilizing South-South cooperation to enhance the peace-building capacity of developing countries recovering from conflict,” Yudhoyono added.

 Timor Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, who chaired the g7+, said his country appreciated Indonesia’s efforts in helping Timor Leste develop after gaining its independence in 2000.

 UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, in his written statement delivered by Hervé Ladsous, under-secretary-general for Peacekeeping Operations, said that the UN would strongly support the g7+ efforts through a coordinated, system-wide effort.

“I am confident that together we can help the 1.5 billion people who live in conflict-affected and fragile states to achieve lasting peace and sustainable development that benefits their people, their regions and our world,” Ban said.

Members of the g7+ group are fragile states that are also farthest from reaching the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Its member states are Afghanistan, Burundi, the Central African Republic, Chad, Ivory Coast, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Haiti, Liberia, Papua New Guinea, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Timor-Leste and Togo.