In response to the new challenges, Indonesia should not be under the illusion it should offer a silver bullet. Consistency and credible strategies will be better than megaphone diplomacy. Certainly, it is not only about expressing sentiments, hopes or concerns, as highlighted by a speaker at a recent Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) dialogue on Indonesia’s foreign policy. Indonesia’s Group of 20 presidency is a huge responsibility that reflects our foreign policy activism, despite challenges.

Let me provide some arguments to those who perceive we are less active.

First, foreign policy is no longer about poetic and flowery speeches, but concrete results benefiting people and world peace. Paradigm has been shifted from “speaking in the echo chambers” to concrete actions.

One example is, there is no other foreign ministry that is as busy and proactive as Indonesia’s. Amid lockdowns almost everywhere, Indonesia safely repatriated hundreds of thousands of Indonesian nationals from many countries and ensured the supplies of essential medical equipment. Also, Indonesia was among the first countries to start a vaccine rollout to fight the coronavirus.

Second, former foreign minister Hassan Wirajuda has the point of insisting on the need to improve the foreign policy doctrine for better implementations. A recalibration has been in the making and it is represented in Indonesia’s continuous proactive roles in ASEAN, despite challenges.

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s resolve to adopt and implement a five-point consensus on Myanmar is obvious proof of this. The President’s move to inspect Indonesia’s outermost waters amid the spat in the North Natuna Sea was not symbolic, but a show of determination when territorial integrity is challenged. The decision was in line with the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.

Third, Indonesia’s cochairmanship of COVAX-AMC-EG has demonstrated strong leadership in ensuring global solidarity for equitable access to vaccines for all, including Indonesians. The World Bank recognized Indonesia’s milestone achievement of vaccinating 100 million people last month.

“Leading by example” in addressing global emergencies, such as climate change, is another example of Indonesia's steadfastness in contributing to addressing global emergencies. Indonesia does not simply express its hopes but delivers concrete resolves strategically. The decision to terminate the Reduction of Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) agreement with Norway amounted to firmness in making a decision without squandering the progress of global climate ambitions.

Fourth, the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific offers constructive dialogues to build trust and confidence and offer alternative solutions. Prompt statement on the AUKUS' establishment should be followed by the firm and continuous measures of ASEAN to provide strategies in response to the geopolitical dynamics.

Building trust and peaceful solutions through dialogues — rather than confrontation — should remain the core approach. Strategic partnership and continued dialogues between Indonesia and major partners provide a unique opportunity for us to remain relevant and active with concrete resolves.

President Jokowi’s participation in the latest two major events, the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate Change attended by 17 of the world’s leaders and the COVID-19 Summit, both hosted by US President Joe Biden, emphasizes the activism that has consistently placed Indonesia in the top 30 percent of countries in the Lowy’s Global Diplomacy Index.

Finally, post-pandemic economic recovery requires effective economic diplomacy. The signing of the historic Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, the entry into force of the first agreement with European countries under the Indonesia-European Free Trade Association Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, the extension of the US Generalized System of Preferences that resulted in a significant export performance last year and the highest export values ever recorded in August, were all bigger than words and realization of national interests.

Indonesia should remain an attractive investment destination in the global supply chain and a safe place for global sovereign wealth funds to invest in infrastructure. The objectives are real, and not just hopes.

Thus, activism is very much about concrete resolves that serve our national interests. It is no longer about beautiful speeches, but concrete actions.

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The writer is the director general for American and European affairs at the Foreign Ministry. The views expressed are personal.