Indonesia has always tried to uphold the principles of peace, social justice and international cooperation, and has contributed to global stability by opposing armed conflict and war.
The end of World War II in 1945 marked one of the most significant moments in world history, not only changing the global political map but also having a major impact on the countries involved, including Indonesia. The war, which lasted from 1939 to 1945, involved two major alliances: the Axis (Germany, Italy, and Japan) and the Allies (Britain, France, the United States, and the Soviet Union).
World War II ended on September 2, 1945, when the Japanese government officially surrendered after the atomic bomb attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the United States. Previously, Germany had also surrendered unconditionally on May 7, 1945 after experiencing repeated attacks from the Allies, including the final attack by Soviet troops in Berlin which led to Adolf Hitler’s suicide on April 30, 1945. Japan’s surrender marked the end of Japanese colonialism in the Asian continent, including Indonesia.
Further, after surrendering, Japan then signed the surrender document on the battleship USS Missouri. This date reflects not only the end of the global conflict but also paved the way for the decolonization process in many previously colonized countries.
After the end of World War II and Indonesia’s independence in 1945, the country began to actively contribute to world peace efforts. Here are some of Indonesia’s important roles in efforts to realize world peace and security stability:
First, sending Garuda Contingent troops. Indonesia sent Garuda troops as part of the UN peacekeeping mission to various countries experiencing conflict such as Congo, Cambodia, and Yugoslavia. Indonesia has a significant role in creating world peace through its participation in the United Nations. This shows Indonesia’s commitment to creating global stability;
Second, pioneering the Non-Aligned Movement. Together with other developing countries such as Egypt and India, Indonesia became one of the pioneers of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) which aimed to ease tensions between the Western Bloc and the Eastern Bloc during the Cold War;
Third, Jakarta Informal Meeting (JIM). Indonesia played an active role in resolving the conflict in Cambodia by organizing JIM I in 1988. This meeting succeeded in resolving the issue of the withdrawal of Vietnamese troops from Cambodia and preventing the rise of the Pol Pot regime;
Fourth, continuously playing an active role in international relations. Through various international forums, Indonesia continues to strive to promote peaceful dialogue and cooperation between countries in facing global challenges such as terrorism and climate change. Indonesia’s contribution to world peace shows the country’s commitment to play an active role in creating a more peaceful and stable world after the bitter experience of World War II.
Since 1957, Indonesia has sent Garuda contingents for UN peacekeeping missions in various countries experiencing conflict. For example, when Indonesia sent 559 infantry personnel as part of the United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF) in Sinai and more than 3,000 personnel for the mission in Congo (Central Africa).
Furthermore, Indonesia also has played an active role in contributing to the UN Peacekeeping Mission activities, which is an important indicator of the country’s commitment to maintaining international security. In 1992, Indonesia also played a role in the establishment of the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) and sent around 2,000 personnel to guard the transition of government in Cambodia.
Indonesia consistently supports UN programs aimed at creating peace, including encouraging initiatives to increase the capacity of peacekeepers and encouraging women’s participation in such missions.
In addition, it advances its role as a bridge of peace between a number of countries in conflict. Indonesian diplomacy also functions as a bridge builder in international conflicts, bridging dialogue between the warring parties. This is evident from its involvement in resolving the conflict in Cambodia and its support for the realization of Palestinian independence.
Indonesia has also been elected four times as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council (UNSC), namely in the periods 1973-1974, 1995-1996, 2007-2008, and most recently 2019-2020, which gives the country the opportunity to contribute more directly to decision-making on global security issues. Therefore, through these initiatives, Indonesia demonstrates its commitment to contributing to world peace and international stability, in line with the principles stated in the 1945 Constitution.
Indonesia plays an important role in opposing armed conflict and war through various initiatives and contributions at the international level. Here are some ways Indonesia plays a role in creating peace and commitment to resolving conflicts.
Garuda Contingent Dispatch to maintain stability and support the peace process in war-torn regions.
Diplomacy and Mediation. Indonesia actively plays a role as a mediator in various international conflicts.
Membership in the Non-Aligned Movement. As one of the founders of the Non-Aligned Movement, Indonesia is committed to creating world peace by not siding with a particular power bloc during the Cold War. This movement focuses on dialogue and cooperation between countries to ease global tensions.
Participation in the UN. Indonesia is active in various UN forums and supports resolutions aimed at resolving conflicts peacefully. The country calls for warring countries to stop fighting and resolve disputes through dialogue.
East Timor Crisis. In the context of the East Timor crisis, Indonesia was involved in the referendum process that resulted in independence for Timor-Leste in 2002. Although this process had its challenges, it demonstrated Indonesia’s commitment to peace and democracy in the region.
Environmental and Peace Issues. Indonesia also raises environmental issues as part of its efforts to create peace. In international forums, the country promotes environmental protection as part of global stability, given that the impacts of climate change can exacerbate conflicts in various parts of the world. Therefore, through these steps, Indonesia seeks to uphold the principles of peace, social justice, and international cooperation, and contributes to global stability by opposing armed conflict and war in various regions of the world.
