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)