VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi met with ASEAN Foreign Ministers and the United Kingdom on Wednesday to discuss the cooperation between the two continents.

The UK donated £ 1 million (around Rp.19 billion) to the ASEAN COVID-19 Response Fund to help Southeast Asian countries fight the coronavirus pandemic.

"Indonesia welcomes Britain's contribution to the ASEAN COVID-19 Response Fund of 1 million pounds," Retno said in a press briefing in Jakarta, Wednesday.

Retno also emphasized the importance of vaccine cooperation at the meeting.

"Indonesia also hopes that the development of vaccine candidates in the UK, which is already at an advanced stage, is a step that brings us closer to getting an equivalent vaccine," Retno continued.

Retno said that ASEAN and the UK must continue to strengthen global health governance to expect the possibility of another pandemic. 

"It is important for ASEAN and the UK to continue to promote multilateral vaccines to ensure equal access to safe vaccines at affordable prices, through the Covax Facility Framework," she said.

Retno said if all countries committed to multilateralism, they will contribute to world peace, stability, and prosperity. 

"First, Indonesia hopes that Britain will continue to play a role as guardian of multilateralism," she said.

She said there are positive values in multilateralism ​​such as a sense of equality, certainty, a sense of belonging, and protection for all countries.