Indonesia Reaffirms Commitment to Multilateralism as UN Marks 80 Years

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - As the United Nations undergoes sweeping reforms on its 80th anniversary, Indonesia has reiterated its commitment to strengthening multilateral cooperation amid shifting global dynamics.

Director General for Multilateral Cooperation at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tri Tharyat, underscored the country's position during the seminar “The UN at 80: Shaping the Future of Multilateralism” held in Jakarta on March 11, 2026.

“For Indonesia, a United Nations that is effective, inclusive, and aligned with its mission remains essential,” Tri said, as quoted by Antara, stressing that today’s complex challenges demand collective approaches rather than unilateral solutions.

He noted that Indonesia continues to engage actively with the UN, not only because of its role as a global platform for multilateralism, but also because the scale of current crises -- from security to humanitarian issues -- requires coordinated international responses.

Echoing this view, UN Resident Coordinator in Indonesia, Gita Sabharwal, highlighted the enduring importance of international cooperation. “Amid rising global uncertainty, the UN remains a vital platform for dialogue, collaboration, and collective action,” she said.

The UN’s reform drive, known as the UN80 Initiative, was launched by Secretary-General António Guterres to make the organization more effective, integrated, and impactful. The initiative focuses on streamlining operations, reviewing thousands of existing mandates, and modernizing how the UN delivers on peace, development, humanitarian missions, and human rights.

“The UN80 Initiative aims to ensure the UN continues to evolve -- working more effectively, more cohesively, and with greater impact for people worldwide,” Sabharwal added.

Indonesia’s reaffirmation of its multilateral commitment comes at a time when global institutions face mounting pressure to adapt to new geopolitical realities, underscoring the country's role as a steady advocate for collective solutions in international diplomacy. ***