As 2020 comes to a close, Indonesia looks back on an exceptional year serving on the United Nations Security Council and draws its two-year term there to a close.
ndonesia ends a tumultuous 2020 at the same time it concludes its nonpermanent membership of the United Nations Security Council, the multilateral order’s most powerful problem solving forum on peace and security.
From the ups and (mostly) downs in this year of exception, the nation has come away realizing that change is the only constant and that the “club” that it will soon leave is vastly different from what it joined just two years ago.
In 2018, Indonesia was elected a nonpermanent member representing the Asia-Pacific after garnering support from 144 out of 193 UN member states, ending a highly effective promo blitz that began the previous year.
The current term lasts from Jan. 1, 2019 to Dec. 31, 2020, and is the fourth time in the nation’s history to be serving on the council, after stints in 1973-1974, 1995-1996 and 2007-2008.
What is certain about the Security Council is that having decades of experience does not preclude a country from the challenges of adapting to a highly dynamic forum as it becomes more complex and mired in geopolitical rivalries.
“We have learned that change is permanent and we must adapt,” said the Foreign Ministry's director general for multilateral cooperation, Febrian A. Ruddyard, in a virtual interview on Wednesday.
Read also: Indonesia's UNSC push for inclusive peace, security a sign of budding leadership
Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.
Quickly share this news with your network—keep everyone informed with just a single click!
Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!
Get the best experience—faster access, exclusive features, and a seamless way to stay updated.