Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta.  President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has made a call for solidarity with Palestine and an urgent plea to halt the genocide in the Gaza Strip during the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit in Melbourne from 4 to 6 March 2024. Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said in a statement on Wednesday (6/3/2023) highlighted the President's emphasis on the critical need for a ceasefire and continuous support for the UNRWA,  the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. In the summit's second session, President Jokowi stressed the significance of ASEAN member states and Australia upholding international law, as reported by antaranews.com. Minister Retno said Jokowi's assertion that a rule-based order must be universally upheld without any double standards, asserting that no nation should be exempt from the rule of law. Regarding geopolitical dynamics, he urged ASEAN and Australia to fortify cooperation paradigms to prevent a decline in mutual trust. Retno emphasized the pivotal role of inclusive cooperation in fostering strategic trust, with President Jokowi expressing hope for Australia to serve as a facilitator for ASEAN cooperation with the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). The ASEAN-Australia Special Summit commemorated the 50th anniversary of the partnership between the two entities. ASEAN, founded in 1967, comprises 10 member states: Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand, Brunei Darussalam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Vietnam. ASEAN has, in principle, welcomed Timor-Leste as its 11th member, granting the country participation in all ASEAN meetings, including those at the head of state/government level. (mg/inp/pr/nm)