Guterres urges UN reform in Jakarta, praises Indonesia’s diplomatic role

Speaking at Indonesia’s foreign ministry in Jakarta on 19 October, Guterres argued that the influence of emerging economies such as Indonesia was not fully reflected in global institutions. He called for changes to international financial institutions that would give developing countries more influence, and said reform of the UN Security Council was essential to making it more effective on peace and security. [1]

Guterres praised Indonesia’s independent foreign policy, calling the country a diplomatic bridge between North and South, East and West. As an example of its contribution to the UN, he said nearly 2,000 Indonesians were serving in seven UN peacekeeping missions worldwide. That contribution was concrete; the description of Indonesia as a bridge-builder was his assessment of its wider diplomatic role. [1] [2]

Indonesia’s foreign minister, Arrmanatha Nasir, also said UN reform had become more urgent. He told Guterres that reform should make the organisation fit the needs of today and tomorrow, rather than weaken it. Their remarks expressed support for reform, but announced no decision to change the Security Council or international financial institutions. [4]

Guterres’s wider speech identified peace, development finance, climate change and artificial intelligence as four areas where he wanted stronger international cooperation. [1] [3]