Indonesia as Chairman of ASEAN will continue to improve ASEAN posture and role in the UN forum"Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia will bring up global matters at the United Nations (UN) 66th general assembly which will be held in New York on September 19-28.
According to a Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry press release received here on Thursday, Foreign Affairs Minister Marty Natalegawa would attend four of the high-level meetings and 17 ministerial meetings.
"Indonesia as the ASEAN chair and Asian region coordinator will play an important role in these high-level meetings," said Marty Natalegawa.
Among the global issues Indonesia would raise at the general assembly was the political and security turmoil in the Middle East and North Africa: Libya, Syria, Egypt and Yemen; Palestinians` desire for independence and United Nations membership; terrorism; nuclear safety and security issues; racism, and democracy and human rights.
As for economic issues and major development that will color the 66th UN general assembly among global health (not Infectious Diseases); MDGs 4 and 5 (maternal and child health); Food Security (Desertification and famine in Africa); and Climate Change in particular forestry issues.
"The Palestinian Independence issue will get great attention at the UN general assembly, Indonesia will be in the frontline in fighting for Palestinian independence and Palestine`s admission into UN membership," Marty said.
Marty said Indonesia had recognized the independence of Palestine a long time ago, namely a few hours after it was declared in 1988.
Indonesia would also deliver a statement on behalf of the ASEAN summit and the infectious diseases prevention in representing the region at the high-level meeting to commemorate the 10-year Durban declaration on racism.
On the high level meeting of terrorism and nuclear weapon safety and security issues the UN asked minister Marty Natalegawa to be the main speaker.
Besides that, Indonesia as a country that has a great interest in forestry issues in the context of climate change, initiated a second Ministerial meeting, namely the High Level Ministerial REDD + on September 21 and F-11 Ministerial Meeting, on September 22.
"The initiative is a reflection of Indonesia`s commitment to continue to encourage global partnership to tackle climate change, especially in the forestry sector", said the Foreign Minister.
As Chairman of ASEAN, on the sidelines of the 66th UN general meeting, Indonesia will lead several Ministerial meetings both among the foreign ministers of ASEAN or with dialogue partners.
On the occasion Indonesia will strengthen ASEAN cooperation to promote common interests of ASEAN which will be carried in 66th UN general assembly.
Indonesia also will ensure that efforts to finalize the final document of the ASEAN-UN Comprehensive Partnership is planned to be signed at a Bali meeting in November 2011.
Indonesia also intends to finalize several other issues such as nuclear weapons free zone in Southeast Asia which process still ongoing and negotiating with the nuclear weapon owner states.
"Indonesia as Chairman of ASEAN will continue to improve ASEAN posture and role in the UN forum" said Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa.
In addition to participating in various meetings at 66th UN general assembly and other activities, Minister of Foreign Affairs will open diplomatic relations with at least 13 countries out of 21 that are in the process of opening diplomatic relations with Indonesia.
The opening of diplomatic relations with 21 countries also has obtained approval from the Indonesian House of Representatives. (*)
Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
