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 announcement was officially made on the United Nations website, un.org.
The UN Special Envoy for Water appointment aims to support various partnerships and collective efforts to advance the global water agenda. It is also a step toward taking concrete actions in response to the outcomes of the 2023 United Nations Water Conference.
Retno Marsudi will begin her new role as UN Special Envoy for Water on November 1, 2024, after her term as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia concludes in October.
Read also: Mrs. Retno L.P. Marsudi of the Republic of Indonesia - Special Envoy on Water
Retno Marsudi’s responsibilities will be considerable, requiring someone with extensive experience handling such matters. So, who exactly is Retno Marsudi? What experience does she bring to this role? And what are her new responsibilities as the UN Special Envoy for Water? Let’s take a closer look below.
Who is Retno Marsudi?
Retno Lestari Priansari Marsudi, commonly known as Retno L.P. Marsudi or Retno Marsudi, is the current Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, born in Semarang on November 27, 1962.
She has been responsible for managing Indonesia’s foreign policy since October 27, 2014, as part of President Joko Widodo’s Working Cabinet (2014-2019). She was reappointed by President Joko Widodo on October 23, 2019, as the Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet (2019-2024).
Retno Marsudi is the first woman in Indonesia to be appointed as Minister of Foreign Affairs. Before her ministerial role, she served as Indonesia’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands based in The Hague (2012-2014) and as Ambassador to Iceland and Norway (2005-2008).
Before her ambassadorial and ministerial duties, Retno Marsudi also held significant positions, such as Director General of Europe and America at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where she managed relations with many countries in Europe and the Americas.
Read also: For the First Time in History! The 10th World Water Forum Brings 3 New Outcomes
What are the Duties and Responsibilities of the UN Special Envoy for Water?
According to the UN’s official website regarding Retno Marsudi’s appointment as Special Envoy for Water, her role will involve leveraging the outcomes of various global water processes, particularly in preparation for the upcoming 2026 UN Water Conference. She will also support efforts to ensure a secure future for all by advocating for strong political, economic, and socio-cultural cooperation at all levels.
Additionally, Retno Marsudi will be tasked with enhancing international collaboration and synergy in various global processes to help achieve shared goals concerning water, which align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6.
As the UN Special Envoy for Water, Retno Marsudi will champion high-level water and sanitation issues and ensure that water remains a priority on both the UN and global political agendas. She is also 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 a significant global impact. Her over 40 years of diplomatic experience have earned her the trust of numerous parties.
sIn addition to her roles as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Ambassador, Retno Marsudi oversaw the organization of the 10th World Water Forum in Bali in 2024. The forum produced a ministerial declaration, agreed upon as the forum’s outcome.
Moreover, Retno Marsudi has held leadership positions in various international forums, including serving as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, Chair of ASEAN in 2023, Presidency of the G20 in 2022, and co-chairing the COVAX Advance Market Commitment (AMC) to support middle-income countries in accessing vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic.
