Indonesia Warns Against Strategic Waterways Becoming Arenas Of Confrontation

By Nik Nurfaqih Nik Wil

JAKARTA, May 27 (NNN) -- Indonesia has called for greater respect for international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), amid rising geopolitical tensions and concerns over global maritime security.

Foreign Minister Sugiono also cautioned against international strategic shipping lanes becoming arenas for confrontation or political bargaining.

He stated this during the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) High-Level Open Debate themed “Upholding the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter and Strengthening the UN-Centred International System” at the UN Headquarters in New York, on Tuesday.

Sugiono also highlighted the situation in Palestine, particularly Gaza, describing it as a real test of the international community’s commitment to upholding the UN Charter, international law and multilateralism.

He said current global challenges were not caused by the UN Charter losing its relevance, but because the principles of international law and multilateralism were too often applied selectively.

“Indonesia views the situation in Palestine, particularly in Gaza, as a real reflection of the international community’s failure to uphold these principles fairly and consistently,” he said.

Sugiono reaffirmed that the two-state solution, based on international law and relevant UN resolutions, remained “the only path towards a just and sustainable peace for Palestine”.

He also highlighted increasing attacks against UN peacekeeping forces, stressing that “attacks against peacekeepers are attacks against the principle of multilateralism”.

The minister warned of growing global security threats, including the impact of developments in artificial intelligence and autonomous weapons on modern conflicts.

Sugiono reiterated Indonesia’s call for reforms to the UNSC to make it more representative, transparent, accountable and capable of reflecting the voices of developing countries.

“The world does not need a new hierarchy, but rather a renewed commitment to the principles of the UN Charter and stronger multilateralism that serves all countries equally,” he said.

The meeting was chaired by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi as UNSC President for May and attended by UN Secretary-General Antonio Gutteres.

-- NNN-BERNAMA