West Manggarai – The 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, NTT has been officially closed by the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo (Jokowi). The ASEAN Summit this time was flooded with agreements, declarations and cooperation, both by all ASEAN member countries, as well as between Indonesia and other ASEAN countries.
In the closing session, President Jokowi said that there were a number of declarations that had been agreed upon by all ASEAN member countries.
Indonesia, as the host and Chairman of ASEAN 2023, has succeeded in encouraging the creation of a number of agreements among ASEAN member countries, among others, ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on Advancing Regional Payment Connectivity and Promoting Local Currency Transactions, ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on Developing Regional Electric Vehicles Ecosystem and ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on Combating Trafficking in Persons Caused by The Abuse of Technology.
As stated on the official ASEAN website, ASEAN heads of state expressed their commitment to advancing regional payment connectivity and encouraging the use of local currencies for cross-border transactions in the region.
In addition, at the meeting at the ASEAN Summit, Indonesia succeeded in pushing for the Declaration on the Development of Regional Electric Vehicle Ecosystems, in order to achieve net-zero emission targets, and increase energy security in each ASEAN Member State and in the regions.
“ASEAN is committed to developing a regional electric vehicle ecosystem involving all ASEAN Member Countries that supports the adoption of electric vehicles and the increase in the electric vehicle industry in ASEAN Member Countries, as well as building ASEAN as a global production center to support the electric vehicle industry for sustainable economic growth in the Region,” as stated on the official ASEAN website.
The declaration by the ASEAN leaders also included opposing Transnational Organized Crime as well as cooperation and coordination against the Crime of Trafficking in Persons or TIP, which is caused by the misuse of technology through various regional mechanisms and ASEAN initiatives.
Previously, Indonesia also succeeded in making a number of agreements and opportunities with ASEAN member countries, in meetings on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Retno Marsudi, in Labuan Bajo, Tuesday (9/5) revealed a number of agreements. One of them is between Indonesia and Vietnam, in an effort to meet the trade target of USD 15 billion for 2028.
“We are optimistic that this target can be met on condition that all trade restrictions or trade barriers can be reduced if they cannot be completely eliminated,” Retno explained through her official statement.
In addition, President Joko Widodo also greatly appreciated the presence of Timor Leste, which for the first time participated in the ASEAN Summit. The President expressed optimism for economic cooperation, especially in the border areas of the two countries. Timor Leste also appreciates the support from Indonesia again.
