Experts urge Indonesia to strengthen multilateralism more substantively
Jakarta (ANTARA) - International relations academic Dinna Prapto Raharja believes Indonesia needs to strengthen its diplomacy by optimising various cooperation platforms to maintain its global relevance while promoting the spirit of multilateralism.
In her statement to ANTARA marking the UN’s International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace on Friday, Dinna views that Indonesia’s diplomacy needs to be recalibrated to produce real impacts, rather than being merely symbolic.
One proposed step is to task diplomats and ambassadors with providing fresher inputs regarding existing and emerging multilateral channels, including determining Indonesia’s position, approach, and objectives for engagement.
She explained that multilateral diplomacy is an important element in maintaining the stability of a global order based on cooperation, especially amid increasing uncertainties due to the dynamics of major countries and responses from other nations.
“Multilateralism promises certainty that communication between parties, agreements to seek solutions to differing views and suspicions, will be prioritised through diplomatic channels,” said the Binus University academic.
Dinna also stressed that the “free” principle in Indonesia’s free and active foreign policy (polugri) requires the country to make independent international decisions without pressure from major powers.
“We must live with the courage that our polugri principle is to fight for norms of social justice, peace through diplomacy, protecting humanity and human rights, and being an example of true democracy,” she stated.
She emphasised the importance of continuity between diplomacy at the head-of-state level and its implementation by diplomats in the field, including through concrete steps in various multilateral forums such as the United Nations (UN), ASEAN, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and BRICS.
Furthermore, Indonesia is seen as needing to explore engagement in emerging new multilateral channels, including the possibility of participation in coalitions to maintain security in the Strait of Hormuz.
Dinna also highlighted opportunities to enhance Indonesia’s role through expanding cooperation that has so far been bilateral into multilateral, particularly in the energy, food, and trade sectors.