Indonesia Holds Senior Officials Meeting of MIKTA

Foreign Ministers of MIKTA countries – Mexico, Indonesia , the Republic of Korea, Turkey, Australia. File Photo.

Jakarta, MINA – Indonesia began its chairmanship of the cooperation forum of Mexico, Indonesia, South Korea, Turkey, and Australia (MIKTA) in 2018 by holding the 4th Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) in Yogyakarta on Jan 24-25, Antara News reported.

Based on a press statement from Indonesia`s Ministry of Foreign Affairs received here on Friday, Indonesia`s chairmanship of MIKTA is themed “Fostering Creative Economy and Contributing to Global Peace” to emphasize the role of creative economy as one of the sources of economic growth.

The theme is in line with Indonesia`s various contribution efforts to realize world peace. Indonesia is currently running as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2019-2020 period.

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The meeting was opened and chaired by Director General of Multilateral Cooperation of Indonesia`s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Febrian A. Ruddyard and was attended by delegates from MIKTA member nations.

During the meeting, top officials from the five countries discussed the potential of future cooperation in MIKTA, its role in responding to various regional and global issues, and preparations for the 12th MIKTA Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting.

Some of the most recent global issues discussed at the meeting included the Palestinian issue, sustainable development, reform of the United Nations, and North Korea.

“As a middle-power group, MIKTA is highly relevant to multipolar international dynamics and has the potential to strengthen the global order,” Ruddyard remarked.

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Indonesia will organize several activities in 2018 within the MIKTA framework. Several programs are intended to support Indonesia`s priority as a MIKTA coordinator.

The programs are the MIKTA Interfaith and Intercultural Dialogue, MIKTA Workshop on Women and Peacekeeping, MIKTA Forum on Enhancing Cooperation on Creative Economy/Start Up Fest, and MIKTA Workshop on Counter-Terrorism and Deradicalization.

Indonesia also took the initiative to hold several outreach programs, such as the MIKTA Goes to Campus and MIKTA Fun Walk and Charity Bazaar.

“Such activities are expected to introduce MIKTA further to the wider community and optimize the role of Indonesia in the MIKTA,” he stated.

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MIKTA is an innovative international inter-state cooperation forum and was formed in 2013 on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
(T/RS5/RS1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)