Minister Retno Marsudi Appointed as UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy on Water

SEAToday.com, Jakarta - Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi has been appointed as United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ Special Envoy for Water. She will take up the post on November 1 after completing her duties in President Joko Widodo’s Indonesia Maju Cabinet.

In the Foreign Affairs Ministry broadcast, Minister Retno said, “Some of the mandates given to me include strengthening partnerships and joint efforts to advance the water agenda, including following up on the outcomes of the UN Water Conference in 2023.” Moreover, she was also responsible for fighting for water issues to be at the top of the political agenda both inside and outside the UN, and several other duties.

She ensured that her experience as a diplomat for nearly 40 years and as a Foreign Affairs Minister for 10 years would be used to the fullest to carry out the task

The appointment makes her the first Indonesian to serve as a special envoy to the UN Secretary-General, and the first person to serve as a special envoy for water issues.