By: Wina Arifah )*
The 2023 ASEAN Indonesia Summit will be held twice, namely in May 2023 in Labuan Bajo, and in September 2023 in Jakarta, which is now a hot topic of discussion among business leaders, government officials and people throughout the ASEAN region. One of the main focuses of the Summit is strengthening cooperation in the digital economy to accelerate economic growth and social development in the region.
As one of the three pillars, the Digital Economy pillar exists to strengthen financial inclusion and digital literacy. Where ASEAN member countries need to increase their respective capacities in formulating national financial education strategies and increasing the interconnectivity of regional payment systems.
Southeast Asia is experiencing an increasingly rapid digital revolution, and in order to increase economic growth and accelerate development in this region, the ASEAN 2023 Summit Indonesia carries a mission through this Digital Economy pillar. This Summit discussed key issues related to digitalization in ASEAN, including strengthening digital infrastructure, developing start-up and SME ecosystems, and increasing human resource capabilities in the digital field.
One of the main objectives of the 2023 ASEAN Summit Indonesia is to strengthen collaboration between ASEAN countries in building a strong and integrated digital infrastructure across the region. A strong digital infrastructure will become the foundation for sustainable economic growth in ASEAN, enabling businesses and society to operate more effectively and efficiently.
The ASEAN 2023 Summit Indonesia also focused on developing the start-up and SME ecosystem in the digital field, which is an important source of innovation and economic growth. By increasing access to resources and funding, as well as facilitating cooperation between start-ups and SMEs in ASEAN, it is expected to create greater opportunities for digital business development.
In addition, the ASEAN 2023 Summit Indonesia also discussed how to improve human resource capabilities in the digital field. This includes increasing access to training and education in digital technology areas, as well as strengthening partnerships between universities, industry and government to improve the quality and relevance of education in these areas.
ASEAN, which consists of 11 countries in Southeast Asia, has great potential to become the leader of the digital revolution in this region. In recent years, ASEAN has shown rapid growth in the digital technology sector, with start-ups and SMEs in this field growing rapidly.
Cooperation in the digital field between ASEAN countries is also increasing, with many initiatives being launched to facilitate investment and digital trade in the region. At the ASEAN 2023 Indonesia Summit, leaders in the region discussed key issues related to digital collaboration, including regulations, standards and digital security.
Gadjah Mada University Yogyakarta International Relations (HI) expert, Randy Wirasta Nandyatama, Ph.D. even said that Indonesia’s chairmanship position at the ASEAN Summit was an attempt to restore the centrality of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to return to being a forum for resolving regional problems.
It is hoped that by increasing cooperation in the digital field, ASEAN will be able to lead the digital revolution in Southeast Asia and take advantage of the opportunities offered by this increasingly developing digital era. ASEAN has great potential to develop an inclusive and innovative digital ecosystem, and strengthen human resource capabilities in the digital field so that ASEAN can compete with developed countries around the world.
Through the 2023 ASEAN Indonesia Summit, ASEAN has shown its seriousness in strengthening cooperation in the digital field and becoming the leader of the digital revolution in Southeast Asia. It is also hoped that the results of this Summit will accelerate economic growth and social development in this region, and provide great benefits for the entire ASEAN community.
The Digital Economy Pillar at the 2023 ASEAN Summit also marks ASEAN’s commitment to harnessing the potential of digitalization to accelerate economic growth and development in the region. Through close cooperation between ASEAN countries, ASEAN is becoming a leader in the digital revolution in Southeast Asia, creating new jobs and enhancing the well-being of people across the region.
*) The author is a student at STIE Indocakti.