Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – Indonesia fears that US President Donald Trump's decision to exit 66 global bodies can undermine multilateralism, as Jakarta calls on other countries to continue to stick together.
Trump has just inked a presidential memorandum ordering the US to quit dozens of international organizations, including the bedrock global climate treaty. His Secretary of State Marco Rubio has even slammed these organizations as "anti-American, useless, or wasteful". Foreign Ministry's spokeswoman Yvonne Mewengkang said Thursday that Indonesia was "closely paying attention" to Washington's withdrawal.
"Our concern is the weakening multilateralism and an international order that is based on global partnership," Yvonne told reporters in Jakarta.
"What's most important is that we continue to push all countries to hold on to multilateralism in response to various global challenges, including those related to inclusivity," the diplomat said.
A White House list shows that the US is ceasing its participation in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), of which Indonesia is a member. This is the core treaty that encourages countries to save the planet. The move also marks the first time a country has ever left the UNFCCC.
The US is also walking away from the International Trade Center (ITC), the agency that aims to connect small businesses in developing countries to global markets. ITC has already run several projects in Indonesia, one focusing on creating digital trade opportunities with China.
Trump has been transparent about his growing disinterest in multilateralism since his return to power.
The Trump 2.0 administration took over the global news cycle last year when it decided to pull out of the Paris climate accord. The US will officially no longer be part of this treaty later this month.
In 2025, the world's richest country also quit the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), a $20 billion climate financing package launched in 2022 to help Indonesia wean off coal. Germany eventually took over Washington's spot as the co-lead of this initiative alongside Japan. The JETP Indonesia commitments coming from wealthy nations and global finance institutions now total $21.4 billion, with about $3.1 billion approved.
Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/news/indonesia-says-us-exit-from-66-global-bodies-weakens-multilateralis