VOINews, Jakarta:Indonesia has called for renewed global commitment to nuclear disarmament, marking the 79th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6 and 9. The message was delivered by Indonesia’s Deputy Ambassador to Japan, Maria Renata Hutagalung, during the World Conference Against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs in Hiroshima.
"Indonesia will continue to urge nuclear-armed states to intensify their efforts in nuclear disarmament," Hutagalung stated during the conference, reflecting Indonesia's firm stance on the matter.
According to a statement from the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo, received in Jakarta on Saturday, Hutagalung emphasized Indonesia's ongoing commitment to advancing the cause of nuclear disarmament to prevent future humanitarian catastrophes caused by nuclear weapons.
As a demonstration of this commitment, Indonesia ratified the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) by passing the TPNW Bill into law in November 2023. This ratification strengthens Indonesia’s position as a key player in global disarmament efforts.
The Deputy Ambassador noted that this ratification complements other international legal instruments on nuclear weapons that Indonesia has previously ratified, including the Non-Proliferation Treaty, the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, and the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty.
As one of the first 50 countries to sign the TPNW, Indonesia remains actively engaged in promoting the treaty within the global community. Hutagalung encouraged other nations to follow Indonesia's lead by signing and ratifying the treaty, reinforcing the collective responsibility for nuclear disarmament.
In addition to advocating for the TPNW, Hutagalung highlighted the importance of Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zones (NWFZs) in achieving global nuclear disarmament. She called on all nations to continue collaborating to ensure the effective implementation of existing NWFZ protocols.
"Indonesia urges all countries to work together to promote the effective implementation of the existing nuclear-weapon-free zone protocols," Hutagalung asserted, emphasizing the critical role of these zones in the broader disarmament agenda.
The commemoration of the atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki this year was attended by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, several Japanese government officials, and 109 foreign representatives in Japan. The presence of international delegates, including Indonesia, underscores the shared commitment to preventing future nuclear tragedies.
Indonesia's stance on nuclear disarmament during this somber anniversary highlights the nation's unwavering dedication to promoting peace and security. By continuing to champion treaties and agreements aimed at eliminating nuclear weapons, Indonesia seeks to contribute to a safer, more secure world free from the threat of nuclear warfare./ANTARA/VOI
