Jakarta – At this time’s ASEAN Chair, Indonesia focuses on laying the foundation for strategic cooperation between ASEAN countries in the future. The 43rd Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) which took place in Jakarta on 5-7 September 2023 is aimed at strengthening strategic cooperation with member countries and the Indo-Pacific region.
For this reason, Indonesia as the holder of the 2023 ASEAN Chairmanship chaired 12 meetings during the 43rd ASEAN Summit. Indonesian President Joko Widodo directly presided over the 12 sessions, including the 43rd ASEAN Summit in plenary format, the 43rd ASEAN Summit in a retreat format, the 26th ASEAN-China Summit, the 24th ASEAN-South Korea Summit, the East Asia Summit, and the ASEAN Plus Three Summit (Japan, China and South Korea).
The series of summits will also be the venue for various bilateral meetings between the leaders of the countries present.
“But the point of the expected goals is to strengthen the achievement and foundation of the ASEAN 2045 vision. In addition, strengthening ASEAN institutions both in terms of making decisions that are more effective and efficient, to matters of organizational substance,” said the Director General of ASEAN Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs RI, Sidharto R Suryodipuro.
At this time’s ASEAN Chair, Indonesia is indeed focused on laying the foundation for cooperation between ASEAN countries that are strategic in the future. To achieve this, Indonesia continues to oversee and ensure strong and sturdy ASEAN institutions with various working mechanisms. Including, how to strengthen ASEAN resources.
“Next is how to determine the regional agenda in the future, be it trade, investment, digitalization, the blue economy as a new source of growth. And of course the role of the Indo-Pacific outlook. How do we manifest all this in the context of economy and development,” added Sidharto.
It was stated, there were several aspects that wanted to be strengthened, such as increasing the human resources of the ASEAN community, dialogues on human rights and maritime cooperation between member countries. According to Sidharto, Indonesia always produces an agreement or what is usually called ASEAN Concord at every chairmanship in ASEAN. As before, Indonesia has acted as chairman in 1976, 2003 and 2011.
The 2023 ASEAN Summit in Jakarta was attended not only by the leaders of member countries, but also by partner countries such as China, Japan, South Korea, the United States, Australia and India.
There were 27 leaders of countries and/or international organizations present, including 18 leaders of countries participating in the East Asia Summit (EAS), leaders of the Pacific Island Forum (PIF), the Prime Minister of Canada, and the Executive Directors of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank. The East Asia Summit consists of 18 participating countries, including 10 ASEAN member countries, Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Russia and the United States.