January 14, 2026 | 04:25 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Foreign Minister Sugiono has called for Indonesia’s diplomacy to adapt to an increasingly uncertain and volatile global environment, urging a strategy rooted in preparedness, vigilance, and realism.
Speaking at the Annual Press Statement of the Minister of Foreign Affairs (PPTM) 2026 at the Foreign Ministry in Central Jakarta on Wednesday, January 14, Sugiono said such an approach was essential as the world becomes more fragile, competitive, and unpredictable.
“When rules that have been mutually agreed upon are violated without consequences, it is not just a single rule that collapses, but trust in the rules and the entire international order,” Sugiono said.
He described the current global order as being in a precarious state, where the interests of certain countries increasingly override the principle of collective security.
International law, long regarded as a pillar of global stability, is being selectively applied to serve unilateral interests, he added.
Sugiono warned that global governance mechanisms designed to manage crises are failing to keep pace with rapidly shifting geopolitical realities.
This weakness, he said, is compounded by the retreat of responsibility by some major powers, a situation he likened to the period preceding the collapse of the League of Nations and the outbreak of World War II.
According to Sugiono, the world is entering a phase of intensified competition, shaped by complex economic interdependence and the growing influence of non-state actors.
At the same time, he noted, the return of a “might makes right” mentality and the open practice of double standards have further eroded trust among nations.
He characterized today’s international landscape as a “multiplex” world order, where diverse interests, dominant players, and overlapping rules coexist, and where cooperation is increasingly transactional rather than principled.
“In such an ambiguous global environment, Indonesia must make clear choices,” Sugiono said, stressing that strong national resilience and the ability to chart an independent course are critical to ensuring the country is not swept up in intensifying global rivalries.
Indonesia’s long-standing “free and active” foreign policy remains the foundation of its diplomacy, in line with the constitutional mandate to protect the nation, sdefend national interests, and contribute to world peace.
However, Sugiono emphasized that this principle must be applied dynamically, not rigidly.
“In a world like this, countries without a strategy will be left behind,” he said. “Indonesia must not fall into that category. We must see the world as it is: fiercely competitive and increasingly unpredictable, and respond accordingly.”
Read: The Pentagon Is Said to Offer Trump Broader Military Options on Iran
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
India's Climate Diplomacy Must Account for Domestic Inequalities
24 hari lalu
Economic liberalization in India has shifted the emissions burden from more equal and developed states to less equal ones. This needs to change.
Indonesia-Iran Archival Exhibition in Jakarta Marks 75 Years of Diplomatic Ties
47 hari lalu
The 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Iran was marked by the opening of an archive exhibition at Taman Ismail Marzuki, showcasing the journey of the two countries' relationship since 1950.
What to Know About Qatar, the Middle East's Quiet Power
12 September 2025
A hereditary monarchy in the Middle East, Qatar is an influential player in regional diplomacy and soft power on the world stage.
How Prabowo is Rewriting Indonesia's Diplomatic Playbook
5 Agustus 2025
Under President Prabowo Subianto, Indonesian diplomacy has taken a distinctive turn.
How the Ambalat Block Dispute Shadows Malaysia-Indonesia Relations
4 Agustus 2025
The border dispute between Indonesia and Malaysia dates back years, over the Ambalat Block in the Sulawesi Sea.
Indonesia Urged to Exercise Shuttle Diplomacy to Ease Thailand-Cambodia Fighting
25 Juli 2025
An international relations observer at Paramadina University believes Indonesia needs to immediately execute shuttle diplomacy to ease the escalating armed conflict between Thailand and Cambodia.
How Syrians Respond to President Sharaa's Israel Normalization Plan
10 Juli 2025
President Ahmed al-Sharaa's readiness to consider normalizing relations with Israel, as well as the reactions and concerns of the Syrian people regarding this potential move.
Deputy House Speaker Floats Military Diplomacy with Myanmar to Free Detained Citizen
4 Juli 2025
The military diplomacy with the Myanmar junta will not involve deploying armed forces.
Iran Ready for Diplomacy on Nuclear Program as Israel Warns of 'Prolonged Campaign'
21 Juni 2025
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reaffirms the country's openness to diplomacy regarding Tehran's nuclear program
ILO Recognizes Palestine as Observer State: What It Means
5 Juni 2025
Palestine has finally gained the status of Observer State from the International Labour Organization after 5 decades.
:strip_icc():format(jpeg)/kly-media-production/medias/4548967/original/094336900_1692782124-tanaphong-toochinda-FEhFnQdLYyM-unsplash.jpg)
:strip_icc():format(jpeg)/kly-media-production/medias/5327418/original/014991800_1756180726-alexandr-podvalny-TciuHvwoK0k-unsplash.jpg)