Megawati proposes Asian-African Conference Volume II to address geopolitical issues

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s fifth president and PDI Perjuangan general chair, Megawati Soekarnoputri, has proposed holding the Asian-African Conference (KAA) Volume II to address the current global geopolitical shocks. According to Megawati, the world now requires alternative thinking on how peace can be realised, making the spirit of the 1955 Asian-African Conference highly relevant as an answer to challenges of international equality. “The implementation of the Asian-African Conference Volume II is highly relevant. Here, Bung Karno’s geopolitical thinking serves as a compass for the future of nations and the world,” said Megawati in a speech at the event titled “71 Years of KAA Commemoration: The Relevance of the Asian-African Movement in the Current Geopolitical Crisis” at the PDIP Party School, Jakarta, on Saturday. Megawati stated that threats of neocolonialism and imperialism continue to operate in different forms and guises in the modern era. Therefore, according to Megawati, the Asian-African Conference Volume II is highly relevant to safeguard the sovereignty of independent nations. In addition, Megawati called for a total reform or re-tooling of the United Nations (UN), noting that the current UN structure is outdated as it was born from the World War II constellation. “There needs to be a change to the UN Charter by incorporating Pancasila as an international foundation,” said Megawati. Megawati also urged changes to the UN Security Council’s structure and the relocation of the UN headquarters to a neutral country. According to her, the UN headquarters must be located in a place that is not part of the competition among great powers or the Cold War. According to Megawati, this reform is urgent given the turbulent global geopolitical situation. For example, the political dynamics in Venezuela and attacks on Iran are evidence that the current international system is “shaking.” “Bung Karno called for reform or re-tooling of the UN. International equality was Bung Karno’s greatest agenda,” she said.