Statement by H.E. Dr. R.M. Marty M. Natalegawa Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia at the Ministerial Meeting of the NAM Coordinating Bureau, Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, 9 May 2012

 

Excellency Mr. Mohamed Kamel Amr, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Chair of the Non-aligned Movement,

Excellencies Ministers and Heads of Delegation,

Distinguished Delegates,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

First, let me pay tribute to the Arab Republic of Egypt for hosting this important Ministerial Meeting of the NAM Coordinating Bureau and to express appreciation for the warm hospitality extended to all delegations. We also commend the excellent preparations for this meeting.

 

Last year in Bali, Indonesia, in commemorating the movement’s 50 years, we shared a vision of our Movement. Of a NAM as a net contributor to global peace and security; a net contributor to political development and democracy;  and a net contributor to global prosperity.

 

Today, in Sharm-el-Sheikh, Egypt, we have an opportunity to further materialize this vision.

 

At this opportunity, allow me to share with you some thoughts on how we can fulfill them.

 

First, in our quest for global peace and security, we must constantly ensure the primacy of diplomacy; of peaceful settlement of dispute. We must wage peace.

 

In the Southeast Asia region, we have consistently adopted this approach and made progress. Reaping a peace dividend.

Southeast Asia and the Asia Pacific in general, have enjoyed decades of almost uninterrupted peace and stability, thereby making it possible for countries in the region to unleash all their potentials for development efforts.

 

Of course, the Asia Pacific region is not totally devoid of tensions and potential sources of conflict. However, in practically all, we find evidence of strenuous diplomatic efforts to prevent, manage or indeed solve these conflicts. Indeed, working together with its ASEAN partners, Indonesia has sought to widen the scope of such endeavours through the ASEAN led regional architecture building. Thus, for example, ASEAN countries and all participants of the East Asia Summit (EAS) have laid down the principles of peaceful and mutually beneficial relations among countries in the region. The so-called Bali principles.

 

These are essentially the same principles that form the 1955 Bandung Principles, on which our Movement was founded.

 

In this spirit, Indonesia urges all NAM members to leave no stone unturned in their quest to promote peace, stability, and prosperity among them, and indeed beyond. 

 

Thus, for example, we must ensure that NAM provides an answer to some of the most vexing challenges facing the international community today. Traditional security issues and non-traditional.

 

Most of all however, we must stand ready to put into concrete action our principled support for the Palestinian cause. Let us therefore build on the Bali Road Map we agreed upon last year—toward universal recognition of the State of Palestine on the basis of the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

 

We must render full support to Palestine in its bid for membership in the UN and other international organizations. We must speak with one voice in pressing on Israel to end the building of illegal settlements. To reengage in negotiations leading to the establishment of a viable Palestinian state.

 

Second, we must project our commitment to democracy, human rights and good governance.

 

Since we met last year, the countries of the Middle East and North Africa have continued their historic political transformation.

 

We are also deeply heartened by the peaceful transformation of Myanmar.

 

And while we address the clamor for good governance at the national level, we must also address this as a Movement.

 

We must work for the universal acceptance of the values of democracy, human rights, justice and equality.

 

Indonesia understands, first hand, that reform and political transformation is a painstaking process, not an event. One that must be continuously nurtured and strengthened.

 

We must also see to it that global governance is also managed in a democratic and accountable manner. Hence, we should enhance our efforts to reform the United Nations system, including the Security Council, to make it more representative of contemporary international relations.

 

Third, we must see to it that economic progress and prosperity are inclusive.

 

And that globalization benefits all.

We are pleased that on the whole, the economic prospects of NAM countries are promising.

 

In fact, the emerging economies of the developing world have become the engine of global economic growth. They play an increasingly important role in the management of world economic affairs.

 

Our Movement, with its vast membership, must remain a major force for resolving such challenges as the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals, climate change, food security and energy security and the reform of the international financial architecture.

 

We must remain focused on addressing those challenges.

We must work in concert in the UN and other multilateral forums, so that international commitment to the global development agenda continues beyond 2015. And ensure there will be no gap between commitment and implementation.

 

We must see to it that the international community continues to make progress in poverty alleviation, jobs-creation and promotion of health, education, and food and energy security – issues that are fundamental to development.

 

The forthcoming Rio+20 Conference must advance the global sustainable development agenda. The agenda must take into account the need and interest of developing countries. The agenda also should encompass economic, social and environmental dimensions.

 

Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

Inspired by the Bandung Principles, and rejuvenated by the Bali Vision, our Movement has achieved much.

 

Let us build on those achievements, and persevere together so our Movement continues to rise to the challenges and seize to the opportunities of the present and the future.

 

I thank you.