On Friday, September 13, 2024, the United Nations (UN), through its Secretary-General António Guterres, announced the appointment of the UN Special Envoy for Water to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Retno Marsudi. The official announcement was published on the United Nations website, un.org.
The appointment of the UN Special Envoy for Water goals to support various partnerships and collective efforts to advertise the worldwide water agenda. It can be a step towards taking concrete actions in response to the outcomes of the UN Water Conference in 2023.
Retno Marsudi will begin her latest role as UN Special Envoy for Water on 1 November 2024, following the top of her term as Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia in October.
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Retno Marsudi’s responsibilities can be significant, requiring someone with extensive experience in handling such matters. So who exactly is Retno Marsudi? What experience does she bring to the role? And what are her latest responsibilities as UN Special Envoy for Water? Let’s take a better look below.
Who is Retno Marsudi?
Retno Lestari Priansari Marsudi, commonly generally known as Retno LP Marsudi or Retno Marsudi, is the present Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, born in Semarang on November 27, 1962.
She has been answerable for managing Indonesia’s foreign policy since 27 October 2014 as a part of President Joko Widodo’s Cabinet (2014-2019). She was reappointed by President Joko Widodo on 23 October 2019 as Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia’s Advanced Cabinet (2019-2024).
Retno Marsudi is the primary woman in Indonesia to be appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs. Before taking on her ministerial position, she served as Indonesian Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands based in The Hague (2012-2014) and Ambassador to Iceland and Norway (2005-2008).
Before assuming her ambassadorial and ministerial duties, Retno Marsudi also held vital positions similar to Director General for Europe and America on the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where she managed relations with many countries in Europe and the Americas.
Read also: For the primary time in history! tenth World Water Forum brings 3 latest results
What are the duties and responsibilities of the UN Special Envoy for Water?
According to Official website of the UN Following the appointment of Retno Marsudi as Special Envoy for Water, her role can be to construct on the outcomes of the assorted global water processes, particularly in preparation for the upcoming UN Water Conference in 2026. She will even support efforts to make sure a secure future for all by advocating for strong political, economic and socio-cultural cooperation in any respect levels.
Furthermore, Retno Marsudi can be tasked with strengthening international cooperation and synergies in various global processes so as to contribute to the achievement of common water goals which can be consistent with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 of the United Nations.
As UN Special Envoy for Water, Retno Marsudi will advocate for water and sanitation at a high level and be certain that water stays a priority each on the UN and on the worldwide political agenda. She can be expected to work closely with UN-Water to support the implementation of the UN system’s strategy on water and sanitation.
Experience in international affairs
Retno Marsudi has extensive international experience with significant global influence. Her greater than 40 years of diplomatic experience have earned her the trust of many parties.
In addition to serving as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Ambassador, Retno Marsudi oversaw the organization of the tenth World Water Forum in Bali in 2024. The Forum produced a Ministerial Declaration, regarded as the consequence of the forum.
In addition, Retno Marsudi has held leadership positions in various international fora, including serving as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, chairing ASEAN in 2023, chairing G20 in 2022, and co-chairing the COVAX Advance Market Commitment (AMC) to support middle-income countries in accessing vaccines through the COVID-19 pandemic.
