JAKARTA — Indonesia’s chairmanship in the 43rd ASEAN Summit continues to intensify development and sustainable economic growth. President Jokowi also emphasized the unity and centrality of ASEAN with clear directions in realizing ASEAN as the Epicentrum of Growth.
At the opening of the plenary session, President Jokowi said that ASEAN needed a long-term tactical strategy.
“ASEAN also needs a long-term tactical strategy. “Not just for 5 years, but for 20 years until 2045,” he said.
President Jokowi also appreciated the support of many members of the ASEAN extended family in the ASEAN Concord IV which was an Indonesian initiative. Concord IV is one of the outcomes of the ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC) meeting last Monday (4/9/2023) in Jakarta.
President Jokowi invited ASEAN to consistently work hard and take an inclusive approach.
“We need to consistently work hard, with an inclusive approach, like the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and the Pacific Island Forum (PIF), which focus on the economy and development, in the future it will have an impact on the people and the world,” he added.
According to President Jokowi, ASEAN’s responsibility is enormous, so all ASEAN leaders must ensure the future of the ASEAN people.
“There are hundreds of millions of ASEAN people sailing in the middle of a storm. So we have to keep this ship moving forward, and be the captain of our own ship, for the sake of peace, stability and prosperity. With this the 43rd Summit Plenary Session is opened, “he concluded.
For your information, ASEAN Concord IV is an Indonesian initiative and will be the basis for ASEAN Concord IV. ASEAN Community Vision 2045, strengthens ASEAN to face various future challenges.
During the implementation of the 43rd ASEAN Summit which was held in Jakarta in early September 2023, several matters were discussed including digital transformation, sustainable development, food security to facilitation of trade and investment.
Previously, in the green energy sector, Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto explained that Indonesia and other ASEAN countries collaborated with each other to achieve net zero emission targets by using renewable energy.
Indonesia has also contributed to regional cooperation frameworks such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) which involves a large number of countries in the Asia-Pacific.
How Indonesia’s leadership has been recognized as an important key in maintaining stability and economic growth in the region.
“Of course I hope that Indonesia will again succeed in achieving all the targets that were conveyed earlier, because in Indonesia’s leadership these strategic decisions are taken and usually color ASEAN in the future,” hoped the Indonesian Coordinating Minister for the Economy.
“We have colored the RCEP regional cooperation for this region. And it’s one of the biggest trading blocks,” he explained.
“Nearly 29% of world GDP is there. So, now we are preparing the expected support. Supporting for RCEP from Indonesia,” concluded the Coordinating Minister Airlangga
Not only that, but in the event of the 43rd ASEAN Summit how can the role of women continue to be accommodated.
It is very important to have a bridge of connectivity from all countries in ASEAN regarding women’s issues and gender inequality.
It turns out that women are also creatures who have the same competitiveness as men, including that the forum continues to encourage how to create financial independence and strategies for women to continue to be empowered.
Minister of Cooperatives and SMEs Teten Masduki explained that indeed all parties have an important role in gender equality, including in community empowerment.
Because with this, economic growth at all levels of ASEAN society will be achieved.
“By promoting inclusive business principles, we can ensure the benefits of economic growth reach all levels of our society, especially those who have been neglected historically,” Teten believes.