To Address Global Geopolitical Issues, Megawati Proposes Holding the Second Asian-African Conference

The second Asian-African Conference (KAA) is being advocated to address the current global geopolitical turbulence. This proposal comes from Indonesia’s fifth president and general chair of PDI Perjuangan, Megawati Soekarnoputri.

Megawati explained that the world now requires alternative thinking on how peace can be realised, making the spirit of the 1955 Asian-African Conference highly relevant as a response to challenges of international equality.

“The implementation of the second Asian-African Conference is very 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 Commemorating the KAA: The Relevance of the Asian-African Movement in the Current Geopolitical Crisis” at the PDIP Party School, Jakarta, on Saturday, 18 April 2026.

Megawati stated that threats of neo-colonialism and imperialism continue to operate in different forms and guises in the modern era. Therefore, according to Megawati, the second Asian-African Conference is highly relevant for safeguarding the sovereignty of independent nations.

In addition, Megawati called for a total reform or re-tooling of the United Nations (UN), noting that the UN’s current structure is outdated as it was born from the World War II constellation.

Megawati also reiterated the ideas of Indonesia’s first president, Soekarno, who urged the abolition of special privileges or veto rights for certain countries, which are seen as creating global imbalances. “The UN Charter needs to be amended by incorporating Pancasila as an international foundation,” said Megawati.

Megawati also pushed for 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 should be located in a place that is not part of the rivalry of great powers or the Cold War.

According to Megawati, this reform is urgent given the volatile global geopolitical situation. For example, the political dynamics in Venezuela and attacks on Iran are evidence that the current international system is “shaken”.

“Bung Karno called for UN reform or re-tooling. International equality was Bung Karno’s biggest agenda,” she said.