The reasons given by the Trump administration, including criticism of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and accusations of bias against Israel, echoed past grievances from previous US administrations. However, the true message was clearer: The US once again treats multilateral institutions as expendable in the face of domestic political posturing.

This regrettable decision shouldn't surprise anyone. What should concern us more is the vacuum it creates and the questions it raises about who will step up to lead in institutions like UNESCO. Several countries, such as France and China, have expressed readiness to support UNESCO.

For Indonesia, the answer should be clear: This is a moment to stop merely claiming "bridge-building" as a foreign policy identity and start actively practicing it in spaces where it genuinely matters.

In recent years, Indonesia has increasingly embraced the idea of being a "bridge-builder" in international affairs. By joining BRICS, participating in Group of 20 summits as a voice for the Global South, and with President Prabowo Subianto's active engagement with leaders from opposing geopolitical blocs, Indonesia signals its ambition to connect rather than choose sides.

However, to be effective, bridge-building must go beyond symbolism and rhetoric. As Indonesia steps into platforms like BRICS, it must carefully balance new partnerships with its enduring commitments to democratic values and multilateral principles. Without a clear articulation of goals and priorities, there's a risk that this bridge-building could become contradictory, especially in an era of heightened geopolitical rivalry.

Perhaps the issue isn't the metaphor of bridge-building itself, but its application. What if we're simply applying it in the wrong arena? Instead of pursuing bridge-building primarily in high-stakes geopolitical arenas, Indonesia could channel this identity into multilateral institutions like UNESCO, where its values, experience and diplomatic capital can have a more direct and constructive impact.