Pandemic a Test Case for Diplomacy

Indonesia has become a middle power in the world. The republic is assuming a greater responsibility and role while facing today’s challenges to demonstrate its capacity.

KOMPAS/B JOSIE SUSILO HARDIANTO

The United Nations Security Council convenes in September 2019 on the sidelines of the 74th UN General Assembly at UN Headquarters in New York City, the United States. Foreign Affairs Minister Retno L.P. Marsudi represented Indonesia at the council meeting.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS – The 75-year journey of Indonesian independence is also a benchmark of the nation’s attempts to promote bilateral, regional and international cooperation. On the principle of free and active foreign policy, Indonesia intends to join the quest for global solutions. The Covid-19 pandemic and ASEAN have emerged as test cases and at the same time, as a challenge for Indonesia in the diplomatic sphere. There remains hope that Indonesia is capable of demonstrating its capacity and identity as a middle power.

Undeniably, every government is currently focused on meeting and attending to national demands and interests. The pandemic has drained sectors across the board to undermine the resilience of many countries. In terms of diplomacy, the Covid-19 pandemic offers an opportunity for Indonesia to reawaken the spirit of multilateralism and international cooperation as it did when it led the way towards establishing Asian-African solidarity in 1955 and the Non-Aligned Movement in 1961.