Recalling the words of the United States Declaration of Independence that inspired democratic movements across continents and gave birth to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the UN in 1948 — "All men are created equal" — Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto said it was the creed that opened the way to unprecedented global prosperity and dignity.  Yet the world continues to face grave challenges and uncertainties.  “Human folly, fueled by fear, racism, hatred, oppression, and apartheid, threatens our common future,” he stressed.  He recalled that for centuries, Indonesians had lived under colonial domination and oppression, “treated less than dogs in our own homeland”, denied justice and equal opportunity.  “In our struggle for independence, in our fight to overcome hunger, disease and poverty, the UN stood with Indonesia and gave us vital assistance,” he emphasized. Indeed, decisions by the Security Council and the Assembly had given Indonesia international legitimacy, opened doors, and supported its early development through UNICEF, FAO, World Health Organization (WHO) and many other UN institutions.

Acknowledging that the world is driven by conflict, injustice, and deepening uncertainty, he urged the international community not to give up. “We must draw closer, not drift apart,” he stressed.  “The UN was born from the ashes of the Second World War that claimed scores of millions of lives;  it was created to secure peace, security, justice, and freedom for all.”  He reiterated Indonesia’s commitment to internationalism, multilateralism, and “to every effort that strengthens this great institution”.  He said that today, Indonesia is nearer than ever before to meeting the Sustainable Development Goals of ending extreme poverty and hunger — “because 78 years ago this chamber chose to listen to and uphold social and economic justice”.

As the world’s largest island State, “we testify before you that we are already experiencing the direct consequences of climate change, particularly the threat of rising sea levels”, he said, confirming Indonesia’s aims to achieve net zero emission by 2060, reforest more than 12 million hectares of degraded land, reduce forest degradation and empower local communities with quality green jobs for the future.  “Indonesia is shifting decisively from fossil fuel-based development towards renewable-based development.”  Starting next year, most of Indonesia’s additional power generation capacity will come from renewables.

Turning to the “catastrophic situation” in Gaza, he recalled that Indonesia is one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping forces and pledged to continue to serve where peace needs guardians.  “We are ready to deploy 20,000 or even more of our sons and daughters to help secure peace in Gaza or elsewhere – in Ukraine, Sudan or Libya,” he stressed. This year, his country recorded the highest rice production and grain reserves in its history. It is now self‑sufficient in rice and exports rice to other nations in need, including to Palestine.  “With a strong UN, we can build a world where the weak do not “suffer what they must, but live the justice they deserve”, he continued, expressing hope that world leaders will show “great statesmanship, great wisdom, restraint and humility”. Reiterating Indonesia’s complete support for the two-State solution, he called for both Palestine and Israel to be free and independent, safe and secure from threats and terrorism.