VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi encouraged fair access to the COVID-19 vaccine at the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Ministerial Conference held virtually on July 13-14, 2021.

Marsudi in a statement here on Wednesday highlighted the huge vaccine inequality currently prevalent. Most developed countries had immunized 70 percent of their population, while the progress in inoculation in most NAM countries was still below 10 percent.

The minister noted that NAM countries had prioritized reducing the imbalance and expediting vaccination in developing nations.

NAM can contribute to the effort by calling for more dose-sharing, strengthening support for COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) facilities, and supporting the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) waiver negotiations.

In addition to vaccine access, Marsudi underscored that NAM countries cooperate to restore economies hit by the pandemic.

The minister noted that the pandemic had pushed hundreds of millions of people into poverty and hindered the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Hence, Marsudi called on the NAM to work together to ensure the participation of developing nations in the international financial architecture, address unfair trade practices and donor requirements, and boost global partnerships for development.

"Indonesia will utilize next year's G20 Summit Presidency to prioritize developing countries' interests," Marsudi stated.

The minister also reasserted Indonesia's support for Palestine, the only nation that had yet to attain independence.

The foreign affairs minister called for all NAM countries to recognize the State of Palestine, support the relaunch of credible multilateral negotiations, and ensure humanitarian access to relieve Palestinians' affliction.

At the end of her statement, Marsudi affirmed that NAM has strength, in terms of the size and number of member states.

The minister confirmed that NAM countries can translate this power into positive influence for the world if they continue to work together and be loyal to Dasasila Bandung, 10 statement points of support for world peace and cooperation.

At the ministerial conference held under Azerbaijan’s chairmanship, Marsudi stated that NAM still faced the same challenges since its establishment six decades back, which are issues pertaining to the world's great powers, inequality, and socio-economic injustice.

These issues are further compounded by the current challenges. Hence, Marsudi believes that NAM's principles and values, including multilateralism, have become more relevant.

The conference resulted in a political declaration confirming NAM's position in various global issues.

The Indonesian delegation proposed several paragraphs on the COVID-19 pandemic pertaining to fair distribution of vaccines, women in peacekeeping, disarmament, observer states, changes in NAM work practices, and the Palestine issue.

The conference also approved Russia as the observer of NAM. (Antaranews)