ASIATODAY.ID, GENEWA – Ambassador Febrian A. Ruddyard, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Indonesia to the UN, WTO and other International Organizations in Geneva, chaired the 74th Executive Session Trade Development Board (TDB), United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) meeting ) which will take place in Geneva, 20-23 November 2023.
The TDB is UNCTAD’s decision-making body, including deciding on economic development policy suggestions in Africa, investment for the sustainable energy transition, and UNCTAD’s work plans.
One of the important agendas in discussing the UNCTAD report is regarding assistance to Palestine considering the humanitarian crisis situation experienced by Palestine due to the conflict with Israel.
As President of TDB, Ambassador Febrian led discussions on the Palestinian agenda and underlined that UNCTAD as part of the UN has helped Palestine for the last 3 decades.
Ambassador Febrian also ensured that the debate at the meeting was constructive in ensuring assistance for Palestine, and continued to accommodate input from UNCTAD member countries.
UNCTAD’s report on aid to the Palestinian community in 2022 shows that the condition of the Palestinian economy is very dependent on Israel’s policy of restricting access, so that 2 thirds of Gaza’s people are still below the poverty line and 45% of the total population still cannot find work.
Gaza is also an example of development that is getting worse rather than better and limited access to basic needs.
Conditions that were already bad before the Israeli conflict since October 2023 have attracted the attention of various countries and called for the war to stop, as well as condemning Israel’s actions. The Secretary General of UNCTAD also called for the need to end this war, underlining what was conveyed by the UN Secretary General.
This is an important agenda in the meeting with the majority of UNCTAD members to call for the need for humanitarian support and access, as well as the need for international assistance for Palestine and various other supports, including UNCTAD’s role in the development of Palestine.
On this occasion, Ambassador Habib led the Indonesian Delegation and delivered Indonesia’s statement which was in line with the statements of the G7 Group, Asia-Pacific and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
Indonesia also strongly condemns the Israeli military attack on Gaza and the attack on the Indonesian Hospital, which resulted in many casualties. As is the Government’s position, Indonesia is pushing for a ceasefire and access for humanitarian aid to Palestine.
Indonesia itself continues to be committed to helping Palestine. The government has sent aid from the Indonesian people in response to the current situation in Gaza. Palestine is one of Indonesia’s largest recipients of technical cooperation assistance.
This meeting marked UNCTAD’s first meeting under the leadership of Ambassador Febrian as President of UNCTAD’s Trade and Development Board (TDB) for the 2023-2024 period. In this role, Ambassador Febrian will chair various important UNCTAD meetings, including the annual session, executive session and UNCTAD special sessions.
He will also conduct monthly consultations with the UNCTAD regional coordinator and the Vice President of the UNCTAD TDB, as well as report on the performance of the UNCTAD TDB to Committee II of the UN General Assembly Session in New York.
The mandate given to Ambassador Febrian as President of TDB UNCTAD not only reflects international recognition of Indonesia’s active role and contribution to global issues, but also confirms Indonesia’s commitment to bringing real and positive change in the international community, especially for cooperation between countries. developing within the UNCTAD framework.
Indonesia’s leadership at UNCTAD plays an important role in Indonesia’s foreign policy, especially in advancing the interests of developing countries.
In 2024, UNCTAD will celebrate the 60th anniversary of its founding. This activity will be followed by Prep-Com discussions in preparation for the 16th UNCTAD Quadrennial Conference which will be held in 2025.
Indonesia’s leadership in UNCTAD can continue to be empowered not only to increase the importance of UNCTAD at the international level but also to encourage the priority of Indonesia’s interests in various meetings. (AT Network)
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