Indonesia to spotlight Palestine issue at UNGA in Prabowo's speech

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesia will spotlight the Palestine issue during President Prabowo Subianto’s address at the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) later this month, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed Wednesday.

“Certainly, the Palestine issue will be part of the discussion,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Yvonne Mewengkang said at a media briefing in Jakarta, noting that the speech’s content is still being finalized.

Earlier, Director General of Multilateral Cooperation at the Foreign Ministry Tri Tharyat said Palestine would be a key focus alongside current global developments.

“We await the official speech release, but prominent themes include recent global dynamics such as the attack on Qatar and, of course, Palestine,” Tri said at a September 11 press briefing.

President Prabowo is scheduled to speak third on the first day of the General Debate on September 23 in New York.

Tri described Prabowo’s participation as a crucial opportunity to promote his “Asta Cita” vision and advocate reforms in the multilateral system.

He emphasized Indonesia’s push for a stronger role for Global South nations, inspired by the spirit of the Bandung Conference.

Prabowo will be Indonesia’s first president to attend the UNGA in person in more than a decade.

His predecessor, President Joko Widodo, chose not to attend during his 10-year term, delegating Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi to deliver Indonesia’s speech.

The UNGA session officially opened on September 9. The General Debate, where world leaders deliver speeches, typically begins about two weeks later and runs for approximately one week.

Indonesia’s commitment to the Palestinian cause dates back to founding President Soekarno, who declared in 1962, “As long as the freedom of Palestine has yet to be returned to the Palestinians, it will forever be Indonesia’s duty to oppose Israel’s occupation.”

This stance continues to shape Jakarta’s foreign policy, underscoring its long-standing support for Palestinian independence.

Amid reports of Israel’s plan to take full control of the Gaza Strip, Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry condemned the move as a serious violation of international law and the UN Charter, warning that it could worsen Gaza’s humanitarian crisis and undermine Middle East peace efforts.

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