Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian Minister for Foreign Affairs Arrmanatha Nasir has called for a comprehensive transformation of the United Nations (UN) to ensure the global body remains capable of addressing real-world problems and future challenges.
Speaking at a commemoration of UN Day in Jakarta on Tuesday, Arrmanatha said that establishing international norms is no longer sufficient for the organization's longevity.
"Norms alone will not carry the UN to 2045. The UN of the future must not only set rules, but it must also solve problems,” Arrmanatha said.
Over the past 80 years, he noted, the UN has functioned as a primary institution for shaping international standards in areas ranging from human rights, the law of the sea, and sustainable development.
However, a rapidly shifting global landscape requires the organization to adapt to stay relevant.
The minister pointed to artificial intelligence (AI) as a key example, warning that existing international governance frameworks have failed to keep pace with technological advancements.
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This gap, he said, risks polarizing the world between nations equipped to shape AI's trajectory and those left to absorb its consequences.
To prevent such disparities, Arrmanatha stressed that developing countries from the Global South must be included at international negotiating tables to secure equitable representation.
“The Global South must be at the table. As the saying goes: if you are not at the table, you are likely on the menu," he remarked.
Reaffirming Indonesia's dedication to multilateralism, Arrmanatha said the country's support is driven by a constitutional mandate rather than mere pragmatism.
He highlighted the nation's ongoing contributions, including UN peacekeeping deployments, tenure on the UN Security Council, and consistent advocacy for human rights and a rules-based order.
Concluding his address, Arrmanatha urged the younger generation to take an active role in shaping the future through innovative ideas, active citizenship and concrete contributions across sectors.
"Indonesia needs your ideas, the UN needs your courage, and the future is counting on all of you,” he said.
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Translator: Kuntum Khaira Riswan, Yashinta Difa
Editor: Bayu Prasetyo
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