JAKARTA — Leading the 43rd chairmanship of ASEAN in 2023, Indonesia invites the world to work together within a framework of equality so that we can achieve progress together.
It cannot be denied that the current world conditions, which are full of uncertainty and turmoil, are challenges that must be overcome together, including ASEAN member countries.
Therefore, ASEAN itself will not be able to overcome this problem if there is no support from other countries as well.
Thus, Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) in his opening speech at the 43rd ASEAN Summit invited all parties to realize good cooperation.
This cooperation is when all countries can have an equal position and can mutually benefit each other to reach the epicenter of growth.
“ASEAN partner ships, let’s work together to realize equal and mutually beneficial cooperation to sail together towards the epicenter of growth,” said the Head of State.
With the many upheavals currently taking place in the world, President Jokowi emphasized the strong position held by ASEAN.
All ASEAN member countries absolutely do not want rivalry because it will clearly have a bad impact.
This is because the original purpose of forming the union of countries in Southeast Asia was to establish good cooperation so as to create prosperity, stability and peace for the world.
“Don’t make our ship ASEAN an arena of rivalries that destroy each other, but make our ship a field to grow cooperation, create prosperity, stability and peace, not only for the region but also for the world,” said the President.
Therefore, even though there are many issues regarding how the world’s great powers want to fight over their influence and power, ASEAN still maintains its position as a united nation state that will not become a proxy for any party.
With this confirmation, it will be increasingly possible to establish very broad cooperation with many parties who want to work together to create peace and prosperity together.
“But ASEAN has agreed not to be a proxy for any power to cooperate with anyone for peace and prosperity,” said the seventh President of the Republic of Indonesia.
In this case, one of the most important points that must be upheld is equality between countries.
Because with equality from all countries in their cooperation, it will clearly lead to progress.
“Equality is actually the main value that we respect and uphold together within the framework of unity and togetherness so that the great ship of ASEAN can continue to move forward,” explained the Head of State.
Equality means that in every country it is still possible for differences of opinion to occur.
“Because differences of opinion actually foster democracy and show that we as a family have an equal position,” concluded President Jokowi.
