IN A High Level Meeting of the United Nations General Assembly (UN) to commemorate the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia (Menlu RI) Retno Marsudi expressed Indonesia’s strong commitment to realizing a world free from nuclear weapons.
Retno reminded that even though the world dreams of a shared future full of hope, in reality the world is still under the shadow of the threat of nuclear destruction. “As many as 13,000 nuclear weapons are still owned by several countries, including those outside the NPT (Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons),” said Foreign Minister Retno in her speech.
He highlighted global concerns over the rollback of arms control agreements, increasing aggressive nuclear rhetoric, and technological advances such as artificial intelligence (AI) that further complicate nuclear risks.
“In this grim development, we must ask ourselves. Is fear of nuclear weapons a guarantee of peace? Indonesia’s answer will always be no,” he said.
After officially submitting the instrument of ratification of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) to the UN, Retno reiterated that Indonesia refuses to remain silent amidst the threat of nuclear war which today is higher than during the cold war.
He called for a global focus on three concrete action steps, namely starting disarmament negotiations in earnest. He emphasized that remaining silent is not an option.
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“We must renew political will and redouble our efforts to advance disarmament, rebuild trust, and move toward a world free of nuclear weapons,” he said.
Facing growing technological risks, Retno called for the importance of strong regulations and strict controls to prevent the increasing threat of nuclear conflict.
Furthermore, maintaining peace by putting aside divisions, distrust and old paradigms, and choosing unity, cooperation and commitment to peace.
He stated that the choices agreed upon today will shape a peaceful world for future generations. “Fear must not determine our future. Indonesia remains steadfast in its goal of total elimination of nuclear weapons,” he concluded. (Z-2)
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