HNW Calls for Collective Action to Build Just Peace

Deputy Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR RI) Hidayat Nur Wahid (HNW) has stressed that world peace will not be realised without independence and justice for all nations. He therefore encouraged cross-national and interfaith collaboration to achieve sustainable world peace. He made the statement whilst opening the Global Dialogue Forum in the context of the International Dialogue Day for Civilisation, at Nusantara V Building, Parliamentary Complex, Senayan, Jakarta. The forum carried the theme ‘Strengthening Faith and Building Peace: Aligning Global Civilisations from Indonesia for the World’. HNW expressed appreciation for the organisation of the forum, which he considered in line with the mandate of the Indonesian constitution, particularly the Preamble to the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia, which affirms the Indonesian nation’s commitment to independence, lasting peace, and social justice. “There can be no world order and genuine peace if what occurs instead is repression and colonialism. True peace will only exist where there is justice and no more colonialism,” HNW stated. According to him, the forum is important because it brings together various stakeholders, ranging from legislative and executive elements, religious organisations, international institutions, to representatives of friendly countries, to jointly champion humanitarian values and global peace. He emphasised that the Indonesian constitution provides a strong foundation for the nation to continue supporting the struggle for independence of nations still under colonialism. “The desire to bring about world peace is actually a direct manifestation of the Indonesian constitution. This mandate is enshrined in the Preamble to the 1945 Constitution and is our shared responsibility to realise,” he said. Additionally, HNW highlighted the situation in Palestine as one of the greatest challenges to achieving world peace. He cited the continuation of conflict and occupation of Palestinian territory as an issue requiring serious attention from the international community. “If this forum was born out of concern over the continuation of colonialism and attacks on Palestine, Gaza, the West Bank, Jerusalem, extending to other regions, then this is a highly relevant step to build solidarity and concrete action for peace,” he explained. HNW assessed the role of the United Nations (UN) as remaining very strategic in championing conflict resolution and recognition of Palestinian independence. He noted that through the UN forum, an increasing number of countries have granted recognition to Palestine as a positive development in international diplomacy. “More than 153 countries have recognised Palestine as an independent state. This shows that the struggle for Palestinian independence is gaining increasingly broad support from the international community, meaning the desire to bring peace through independence and away from colonialism is receiving widening support,” he explained. “Indeed, the UN must be more effective, realise its role, and not be constrained by the veto power that protects Israel, but let not disappointment with the UN lead to it being displaced by establishing a new institution that might completely displace the existence of Palestine, let alone recognition of Palestine as an independent state,” he continued. Furthermore, HNW stressed the importance of synergy between parliament, government, religious organisations, and civil society to strengthen peace diplomacy. According to him, no single party can work alone in facing the complexity of today’s global challenges. “The UN cannot work alone. It requires the collective effort of all parties, including parliament, government, religious leaders, civil society organisations, and friendly nations to bring about just peace,” he said. HNW also stated that Indonesia remains consistent in championing Palestinian Independence through various international forums, including world parliamentary forums, and through diplomacy conducted by the Indonesian government. He hoped the forum would produce concrete steps and strengthen global collaboration in realising world peace based on justice, respect for state sovereignty, and the cessation of all forms of colonialism. “May this forum be a productive one, generating ideas and tangible cooperation, and strengthening our shared spirit to bring about a just world peace for all humanity,” he expressed. Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia Muhammad Anis Matta stressed that the world is currently facing a civilisational transition period marked by various geopolitical conflicts, a crisis of global leadership, and the weakening of international institutions. These conditions, Anis said, demand the birth of a new civilisational proposal capable of uniting humanity. He explained that civilisation is built upon five main elements: people, land, time, thought, and taste or values that evolve from generation to generation. “Fundamentally, we inherit from one civilisation to another. No single civilisation can claim to be the greatest contributor in human history,” Anis said. Anis also highlighted the cycle of the rise and fall of civilisations as an unavoidable law of history. In the process of civilisational change, conflict often emerges as part of the dynamics towards a new equilibrium. “We need not be surprised when witnessing conflict. It is an unavoidable process in the history of human civilisation,” he stated. He also assessed that various conflicts occurring from Eastern Europe to the Middle East are rooted in a systemic crisis encompassing a crisis of global leadership.