REPUBLICA.CO.ID, NEW YORK -- Disarmament was one of the topics discussed during the Week of High-Level Meetings at the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, USA, on Thursday (26/9/2024), to commemorate the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. Foreign Minister Retno Lestari Priansari Marsudi stated that the current conceived future is under the shadow of damage caused by nuclear weapons, which will be aggravated by the emergence of the latest advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI).
“In light of this grim development, we must ask ourselves: can the fear of nuclear weapons be a guarantee of peace? Indonesia's answer is forever no,” Retno said.
Indonesia's position is clear, that it is committed to creating a world free of nuclear weapons, and it became clearer after Retno submitted the instrument of ratification of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons to the UN Secretariat General on Tuesday (24/9/2024). “Indonesia refuses to remain silent while the threat of nuclear war today is much greater than during the Cold War,” Retno said.
There are three things that Indonesia calls for, as stated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs. First, the countries of the world must begin disarmament negotiations in earnest. Second, be wary of the risks of the latest technology, so the world must establish regulation and control to prevent the threat of nuclear weapons conflict.
“Third, ensure peace continues. To create continued peace, we must bury mutual suspicion and old paradigms. We must choose unity, cooperation, and commitment to peace,” Retno said.
“Fear should not dictate our future. Indonesia remains steadfast in our goal, the total elimination of nuclear weapons,” Retno added.