In her very powerful address to the UN General Assembly debate on Sept. 26, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi urged “we need this new paradigm … to reignite the spirit of peace.” She compared the international situation to the situation in Europe just before World War II, with the Great Depression, the rise of ultra-nationalism, competition over resources and rivalry between major powers. She warned that if the world remains on the present path, it could lead to a major conflict. She said: “I would like to offer you a world based on a new paradigm. A paradigm of win-win not of zero-sum. A paradigm of engagement not of containment. A paradigm of collaboration not of competition. This is the transformative solution that we need,” she stressed.
While she said, repeating herself twice, “The fundamental principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity are non-negotiable,” she elaborated “Meanwhile, peaceful solution is the only option to settle any conflicts. A habit of dialogue and cooperation would nurture strategic trust. These are the rules of the game that we must maintain if we truly want peace. It is our responsibility to apply them consistently, not selectively, or only when we see fit.”
