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Jokowi to skip UNGA again this year
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s absence at the United Nations General Assembly speculated to be caused by economic and political instability, will result in diplomatic losses, experts have said.
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President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo gives a speech on Mar. 25 at the launch of the first public electric vehicle charging station, which will be used for electric vehicles transporting world leaders during the G20 conference in October this year, in Nusa Dua, Bali.
(AFP/Sonny Tumbelaka)
P
resident Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s decision to be absent at this year’s 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA77) has conjured regret among international relations observers, with some saying his absence will strip Indonesia of many opportunities to progress its regional and global agendas.
On Monday, the Foreign Affairs Ministry confirmed that Jokowi will be absent at the UNGA77 and will instead be represented by Foreign Affairs Minister Retno LP Marsudi. Per a UN directive that only physical attendants are able to make any speech, there will not be a prerecorded address by the President at the event.
Instead, Retno will be giving the address on Jokowi’s behalf, said Tri Tharyat, the ministry’s director general for multilateral cooperation. Speaking to reporters, Tri said that the cause of Jokowi’s absence will be clarified by the Presidential Palace.
“An official explanation will be given by [the Palace]. What is clear is that [the Foreign Affairs Ministry] had informed [Jokowi] about several scheduled events. We have tried other methods, but what matters is that his message is relayed well,” said the official.
At the UNGA77, Tri said Indonesia will focus on progressing its mission under the presidency of the Group of 20’s (G20) biggest economies, which comprises three primary agendas – sustainable energy transition, inclusive global health architecture and digital transformation.
Read also: Timor Leste’s independence hero calls for Indonesian global leadership
Conspicuous absence
