President Joko Widodo at the 43rd ASEAN Summit (Summit) in 2023 said that the ASEAN Summit this time was not easy because there were many situations that had to be overcome and global challenges were getting tougher. ASEAN’s role is not only to contribute to peace, but also to maintain stability in the Indo Pacific and maintain economic growth.
In ASEAN, equality is the main value that is respected and upheld together, within the framework of unity and togetherness in order to continue sailing this “big ship” called ASEAN.
Through its chairmanship, Indonesia has pushed for a vision of ASEAN 2045 that is visionary, concrete, balanced and easy to understand. Meanwhile, the Post-2025 ASEAN Vision is an important document that will guide ASEAN cooperation for the next 20 years as mandated by the Head of State at the 42nd ASEAN Summit in May 2023.
Indonesia’s success in leading the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) and the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta not only received a positive response from the domestic community, but also ASEAN member countries. Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno LP Marsudi revealed that the Leaders really appreciated Indonesia’s leadership in ASEAN 2023. Much has been achieved even in a global situation that can be said to be very difficult. The commitment of the leaders has become stronger, especially regarding issues of unity, centrality, and efforts to maintain peace,
In the plenary sessions of the 43rd ASEAN Summit, state leaders also emphasized the importance of cooperation for food security, energy, health, finance, support for the implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), and support for advancing the digital economy through the negotiation of the Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA).
For your information, this ASEAN Plus event was also attended by ASEAN partner countries and organizations. World Bank President Ajay Banga and Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Kristalina Georgieva expressed praise for ASEAN’s economic resilience amidst the global economic slowdown due to the pandemic and war. They expressed this view when attending the Plenary Session of the 43rd ASEAN High Level Conference (KTT). Not only that, but when meeting with President Jokowi at the Merdeka Palace, the IMF Managing Director also said that ASEAN was a bright spot in the midst of an uncertain world situation. According to the IMF, ASEAN also contributes 10 percent of global economic growth.
Indonesia can be proud because as the host of the ASEAN Summit, it is admired by visiting delegations from world countries. There was an interesting moment when the First Lady of the Philippines raised her thumbs up after seeing the atmosphere of the welcoming area with a tropical forest concept, lined with flags of ASEAN countries, at JCC Jakarta. At that time, after the President of the Philippines and his wife got out of the state car, they were directed to the lobby of the JCC, Senayan and were greeted directly by Jokowi and First Lady Iriana.
The 2023 ASEAN Summit will certainly be the umpteenth time for Indonesia to hold an international level event. Indonesia has repeated its success at the 42nd ASEAN Summit in May 2023 and in 2022 when it holds the G20 Presidency. This adds to the long list of Indonesia’s expertise in the eyes of the world, one of which is the United Arab Emirates (UAE). UAE Minister of State Ahmed bin Ali Al Sayegh believes that the theme chosen by Indonesia for the ASEAN Summit is very relevant to the current situation. According to him, the success of Indonesia’s chairmanship is very important, considering that ASEAN countries are at the heart of global political and economic relations.
Indonesia’s success in becoming chairman of ASEAN in 2023 deserves a thumbs up. This is proof of Indonesia’s success in the ASEAN and global political arena. Indonesia’s chairmanship gives a very deep message to ASEAN member countries and partner countries to strengthen cooperation in various fields and promote regional stability.
