Page 11 - DIVA 2 2025 web

international

Could you please tell us a little about yourself? remain united while celebrating its rich cultural
I am Ambassador Achsanul Habib, currently tapestry.
serving as Chargé d’A aires and Deputy
Permanent Representative of the Republic Culture is the soul of a nation, and in a country
of Indonesia to the UN, WTO, and other as diverse as Indonesia, it is both a source of
international organizations in Geneva since immense pride and a responsibility to nurture.
February 2025. I have joined Indonesia’s Bhinneka Tunggal Ika serves as the foundation
diplomatic service for nearly three decades, that harmonizes our cultural di erences,
actively engaged in promoting Indonesia’s ensuring that diversity is seen as a strength rather
interests in multilateral, regional and bilateral than a division. It encourages mutual respect,
fora. peaceful coexistence, and shared aspirations
among our people.
I assumed the duty as the Deputy Permanent
Representative in Geneva in July 2023 to rough these principles, Indonesia has
represent Indonesia in various Geneva-based demonstrated that cultural harmony is not about
multilateral institutions, addressing a broad eliminating di erences but about embracing
spectrum of critical global issues, such as them in a spirit of unity. is balance allows
human rights, trade and development, health, our nation to thrive socially, politically, and
disarmament, intellectual property, labor, economically while preserving the richness of
migration, humanitarian, and environment. our heritage. e world today faces increasing
Prior to this, I served as Director for Human challenges in maintaining social cohesion amidst
Rights and Humanitarian A airs (2018-2023) diversity. Indonesia’s experience shows that with
at the Ministry of Foreign A airs of Indonesia, respect, dialogue, and shared purpose, diversity
coordinating national e orts on implementation can be a source of strength rather than division.
and reporting of international human rights
conventions, national action plan for human Your country is known for being an island
rights, refugee protection and humanitarian country. Do you feel and fear climate change?
assistance. As an archipelagic country, Indonesia is
particularly susceptible to climate risks and
My earlier foreign assignments include Political impacts. 65% of Indonesia’s population lives in
Coordinator at the Permanent Mission to the UN coastal areas, making sea-level rise a signi cant
in New York (2015-2018), mid-career diplomat risk. Climate change is not just a future threat
at the Permanent Mission to the UN in Geneva but an ongoing challenge that will worsen
(2008-2012) and junior diplomat at the Embassy without proper mitigation. According to the
of Indonesia in Pyongyang, DPRK (1999-2004). World Bank, Indonesia is ranked in the top third
roughout my career, I had the opportunities of countries in terms of climate risk, with high
to chair and participate in multiple international exposure to all types of ooding and extreme
negotiations, represent Indonesia in numerous heat. e intensity of these hazards is expected
1
international fora and actively contribute to to grow as the climate changes .
the development of resolutions, treaties, and
agreements that align with Indonesia’s foreign To tackle climate change, we must balance energy
policy priorities. security, energy equity, and environmental
sustainability. Indonesia is committed to global
You represent one of the countries with the climate mitigation e orts and has rati ed
richest and the most diverse cultural tapestry. Do the Paris Agreement. We have developed
you have a good recipe on how to “marry” such national policies such as Enhanced Nationally
a diverse culture and to make it harmoniously Determined Contribution (E-NDC) and Net-
ourish? Zero Emission (NZE) targets by 2060 or sooner
In Indonesia, we embrace the national identity of
Bhinneka Tunggal Ika, which directly translates We will continue to strengthen e orts, such as
to “Unity in Diversity.” is motto is not just a strengthening climate adaptation and mitigation
phrase, it is the guiding principle that has allowed
Indonesia, a nation of over 17,000 islands, 1,300
1 Country Climate Risk Pro le Indonesia World
ethnic groups, and more than 700 languages, to Bank 2021.

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