He stressed that international cooperation is essential for addressing global conflicts and climate change and achieving the sustainable development goals, according to a statement received from his media team in Jakarta the same day.
"We live in a world plagued by turmoil, where confidence in a rule-based order grows weaker and weaker," he said.
The former Indonesian president then cited the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, Palestine, Congo, Sudan, and Myanmar as proof that the international community has yet to achieve true peace despite the formation of the United Nations (UN) in 1945.
He also criticized the United States for its withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and the World Health Organization.
"When a country withdraws, another must be ready to fill in ... The world is in need of bold, broad-minded leaders that are capable of offering solutions instead of making things worse," he stressed.
He said that to strengthen multilateralism, the world needs to reform the UN Security Council by restricting the veto rights of its members, intensifying peacekeeping operations, and ensuring stable funding for the UN.
The retired army officer argued that collective efforts from international entities are crucial for tackling global issues, noting that no country in the world has the ability to unilaterally overcome global challenges.
"We have no other option but to cooperate to avoid climate catastrophe, prevent a world war, and reduce human suffering," he said.
The Tokyo Conference was organized by Genron NPO, an independent, non-profit think tank based in Japan.
Secretary-General of the UN, Antonio Guterres, and former prime minister of New Zealand, Helen Clark, joined the event virtually.
The event focused on international cooperation and peace restoration efforts in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the UN.
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Translator: Fath Putra, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Primayanti
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