Jokowi Proposes 'UN 2.0' for Stronger Global Institutions Amidst Conflicts

JAKARTA - The President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, believes that the United Nations needs to evolve to better handle increasingly complex conflicts that transcend national borders. He has proposed the birth of "UN 2.0". Jokowi conveyed this idea during a speech at the Penang Peace Dialogue in Penang, Malaysia. "We need a stronger global institution, a stronger global mediation, and a stronger global diplomacy to maintain peace," Jokowi said, as quoted by Antara on Sunday, September 6. According to Jokowi, the world is not enough to rely on the existing UN system. "Now, we must move beyond the old United Nations and build a new edition, the new United Nations 2.0," he stated. Jokowi explained that today's global challenges are increasingly complicated. Conflicts are interrelated, and their impacts do not stop in one country. Therefore, he assessed that the UN needed to redefine its systems, processes, and strategies to remain relevant and work more effectively. "Because sustainable prosperity can only be achieved when every country chooses peace over conflict, cooperation over competition, and collaboration over division," said Jokowi. He also emphasized that no country can succeed alone, no nation can prosper amidst conflict, and peace cannot be built without trust. In his speech, Jokowi also touched upon the position of Southeast Asia. According to him, this region has become an example of how people with different backgrounds can live side by side and grow together. He called Southeast Asia one of the models of inter-civilizational collaboration in an increasingly multipolar world. "Here, differences are not barriers. Differences are bridges to understanding, cooperation, and common progress," he said. Jokowi also asked developed countries not to only pursue their own interests. According to Jokowi, the greatness of a developed country is not only measured by economic strength, technology, or political influence, but also by its responsibility in maintaining peace and stability. "Developed countries should not only think about their own interests. They must bear greater responsibility for building trust, strengthening cooperation, and helping create a more peaceful world," said Jokowi. The Penang Peace Dialogue is a forum that discusses world peace issues. The event was also attended by the Chief Minister of Penang Chow Kon Yeow, Consul General of RI in Penang Wanton Saragih, community leaders, as well as a number of international figures and media.