Indonesia calls on U.N.S.C to respond to post-pandemic security challenges

Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – Indonesia has called on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to respond to post-pandemic security challenges.

“The COVID-19 pandemic may create economic and social disruptions, thus triggering relapse to conflict,” Indonesian Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Mahendra Siregar stated at the U.N. Security Council High Level Meeting on Post-COVID-19 Global Governance held virtually on Thursday (Sep 24).

In his statement, Vice Minister Siregar underlined some points to respond to the increasing global challenges in efforts to maintain world peace after the pandemic.

He highlighted the importance of encouraging the UNSC to continue to monitor the implementation of U.N. ceasefire commitments, including the Global Humanitarian Response Plan and U.N. Security Council Resolution 2532.

In that regard, Vice Minister Siregar emphasized the importance of strengthening support for the U.N. peacekeeping mission in responding to the impact of the pandemic on the ground, especially in relation to humanitarian aid and peacebuilding.

He also stressed that the Security Council should respond to the potential changes in the security environment in the aftermath of the pandemic.

The vice minister underlined that the UNSC should remain responsive, adaptable and results-oriented in dealing with post-pandemic international security challenges.

“The pandemic is likely to accelerate the fragmentation and re-composition of the global world order,” vice minister said, adding the U.N. system should also increase its effectiveness, transparency and accountability, including in terms of providing access to affordable vaccines and medicines.

He shared that the current situation could pave the way for peace through solidarity, unity and global responsibility, for the benefit of all.

“Increased engagement and connectedness are precisely what we rely on, to survive this time,” he said.

The U.N. Security Council meeting was chaired by the President of the Republic of Niger, Issoufou Mahamadou, as the President of the U.N. Security Council for September 2020.

The meeting also heard the presentation from two briefers, namely, the U.N. Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, and Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat.

The open debate is one of the signature events for the presidency of the Republic of Niger at the U.N. Security Council.

Reporting by Indonesia Window