VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said the election of Indonesia to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council (UNSC) is a reflection of the international community`s appreciation towards the country`s track record.

The president through his official facebook account monitored on Sunday said that democracy and tolerance in Indonesia would be an asset for the country to play an active role in the UN Security Council.

"The Indonesia`s role at the global level will increase with the election of the country to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2019-2020 period representing Asia-Pacific," he remarked.

Jokowi also mentioned that in the (recent) United Nations General Assembly`s session, Indonesia gained 144 votes from the 190 UN member countries attending the session. "This support exceeds two-thirds of the UN members," he disclosed.

He also affirmed the mandate of the international community to Indonesia which should become a concern to be carried out as good as possible.

"The mandate of the international community to Indonesia, will be run as good as possible to make a real contribution to peace, humanity and prosperity in the region and globally," he pointed out.

The president at the same time appreciated and congratulated the Indonesian diplomats who have brought Indonesia into a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.

Indonesia, which will officially fill the seat as of January 1, 2019, defeated the Maldives by 144 votes to 46 after 190 UN member-countries cast their votes.

Besides Indonesia, four other countries were also elected non-permanent members of the UNSC -- South Africa for Africa; the Dominican Republic for Latin America and the Caribbean; and Germany and Belgium for Western Europe and other countries.

Indonesia had previously been a Non-Permanent Member of the UNSC in 1973-1974, 1995-1996, and 2007-2008.

The Security Council has 15 members -- five permanent (United States, United Kingdom, France, Russia, and China) and 10 non-permanent serving for two years. (ANTARA)

Indonesia is officially elected as a non-permanent member of the United Nations (UN) Security Council for 2019-2020 period representing the Asia-Pacific region. The vote was held at the UN General Assembly in New York, United States of America on Friday (June 6th). Indonesia won the election by 144 votes of the total 190 UN member states, defeating Maldives that only seized 46 votes. Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi through a live streaming from the United Nations through webtv.un.org/ said that the result of this election is a form of trust given by UN member countries. On the same occasion, she also expressed her gratitude to all UN member states for the trust given to Indonesia in the UN Security Council. “Indonesia is honored to be elected as non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the term 2019-2020 with 144 votes. It was a privilege to have run for the candidacy with our good friend Maldives. On behalf of the government and people of the Republic of Indonesia, allow me to express our deepest appreciation for all of general support extended toward Indonesia’s candidacy. I wish to extend my sincere gratitude to member states of the United Nations for trusting Indonesia to be your true partner," said Retno Marsudi. Minister Retno Marsudi added that the trust given by UN member states is a recognition of Indonesia's contribution to world peace for decades. In addition, Indonesia's election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council also strengthens Indonesia's commitment to keep maintaining world peace and security. Indonesia had previously been a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for three periods in 1973-1974, 1995-1996 and 2007-2008. The UN Security Council is comprised of 15 member states consisting of five-veto member states: the USA, Russia, China, Britain and France and 10 non-permanent members elected for a two-year period. (VOI/Rezha/RHM)