All eyes turned to New York on Tuesday as world leaders gathered for the 80th UNGA general debate, the most closely watched session at the world’s largest multilateral forum, amid heightened global tensions over unresolved conflicts and crises. 

Chaired by former German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock, leaders have been expected to focus mainly on UN reforms, the escalating climate crisis and Israel’s ongoing military operations in the Middle East, taking turns to deliver their country’s positioning over these key issues over the next week.

For the first time in a decade, Indonesia was represented at the general debate by its head of state, Prabowo, who secured the rare third speaking slot in the forum that traditionally opens with statements from Brazil and the United States.

Prabowo began his remarks by recalling Indonesia’s history of colonialism and poverty, drawing parallels to today’s global conflicts he said were marked by “suffering, genocide and blatant disregard for international law”. He then called for collective restraint and leadership to achieve peace across the world.

Jakarta stands ready to contribute politically, financially and in terms of security to achieving peace in Gaza or Ukraine, Prabowo said and pledged to send up to 20,000 Indonesian personnel to the UN peacekeeping operations upon the organization’s request.

“Thucydides warned: ‘The strong do what they can, the weak suffer what they must’. We must reject this doctrine. The United Nations exists to reject this doctrine. We must stand for all, strong and weak,” Prabowo said.

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