JAKARTA, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Experts and officials from several countries here on Tuesday urged middle powers to bolster cooperation and multilateralism in response to the shifting international landscape, during a forum held by the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia (FPCI).
The Middle Powers Conference provided a platform for participants to discuss strategies for middle powers to navigate a rapidly evolving international situation while balancing national interests with global cooperation and resilience.
Former South African Ambassador to the United States Ebrahim Rasool said at the event that middle powers should pursue "mutuality and reciprocity" rather than surrender or appeasement when engaging larger powers. "Let us allow the spirit of Bandung to re-infuse foreign policy in the world."
Taha Ozhan, research director at Türkiye's Ankara Institute, said the world has been moving toward a more multipolar order. He urged middle powers to strengthen regional, legal, and infrastructural cooperation, particularly in trade and economic frameworks.
German Ambassador to Indonesia and ASEAN Ralf Beste emphasized the importance of multilateralism, noting that institutions such as the UN Security Council remain vital for peace and stability. "We should enforce multilateral organizations and multilateral cooperation," he said. "When we cooperate, we are stronger."
The FPCI, founded in 2015, is a foreign policy organization based in Jakarta. ■