Indonesia Asks World's Parliament Rejects Unilateralism

TheIndonesia.id - The Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, encouraged the world parliamentary forum to reject unilateral agendas and actions because they could threaten harmonious relations between countries. Puan to thousands of foreign delegates of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) representing parliaments of 115 countries said that the world today must work together and increase cooperation to rise after being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are currently living in an increasingly complex world and face great challenges. The pandemic has entered its third year and the world continues to face uncertainty," said Puan to the delegates in Nusa Dua, Bali, as quoted from the official statement of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Monday, March 21, 2022.

If countries do not cooperate and stay selfish, various challenges and problems, including the pandemic, would be difficult to deal with. "Health problems can develop into social, economic, political problems, or vice versa," said Puan Maharani.

She further emphasized that parliament plays an important role in being the main actor in building various cooperations between countries. "Parliament also needs to build public awareness in the country that apart from building a sense of love for the homeland, at the same time we also need to foster a spirit of global solidarity," the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle politician said.

Therefore, this year's IPU assembly meeting forum held at the Bali International Convention Center (BICC) Nusa Dua, Bali, on 20–24 March 2022 can be a place to unite joint commitments to overcome various world problems. "Decisions that are important for world problems and the future of the world are determined here and right now," she said.

"Parliament has a key role in rejecting unilateralism, which prioritizes narrow and momentary interests," she said.

Indonesia is hosting the IPU's annual session for the first time. The IPU is a cross-border inter-parliamentary collaboration that is believed to be the world's second-largest democratic forum after the United Nations (UN).