Indonesia hosted the 43rd ASEAN Summit which took place in Jakarta. This moment is a golden opportunity to prove Indonesia’s ability to oversee potential issues and diplomatic cooperation between ASEAN countries and international organizations.
The 43rd ASEAN Summit itself is the second of two ASEAN Summits under Indonesia’s Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2023. At the first Summit last May, the focus of discussion by ASEAN Leaders was internal ASEAN issues as well as important issues in the region and outside area. Meanwhile, the 43rd Summit in Jakarta was attended by ASEAN Leaders and Leaders of ASEAN Partner Countries. The 43rd ASEAN Summit discussed the development and strengthening of ASEAN cooperation with external partners.
The 43rd ASEAN Summit produced a number of agreement documents, while on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit there were also bilateral meetings between delegations from the countries participating in the Summit. Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) together with the leaders of ASEAN member countries, succeeded in agreeing on a number of agreements and bilateral cooperation.
Deputy Minister of Trade (Wamendag) Jerry Sambuaga said Indonesia’s Chair in ASEAN in 2023 would strengthen collaboration among ASEAN members and dialogue partners. Thus, countries in the Southeast Asian region can face various current global economic challenges together.
ASEAN must encourage a regulatory system that is agreed upon and recognized among ASEAN members and dialogue partners. The regulatory system in question is as stated in the ASEAN Comprehensive Investment Agreement (ACIA) which prioritizes four investment pillars, namely liberalization, protection, promotion and facilitation.
These four will make economic achievements integrated and cohesive. As a result, society can enjoy equitable development and inclusive growth. In overcoming this, the ASEAN Secretariat can provide greater efficiency and effective implementation of ASEAN activities in encouraging regulatory cooperation for ASEAN investments that can invest.
It is known that the ASEAN Investment Forum 2023 is an additional agenda for the 2023 ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (ABIS) which will be held on 2-7 September 2023.
ABIS is a series of the 43rd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit which took place from 5-7 September 2023 at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC), Jakarta.
To note, in the series of the 43rd ASEAN Summit, President Jokowi presided over 12 meetings. The ASEAN Summit is a summit meeting between the leaders of ASEAN member countries which is routinely held every year. Previously, the 42nd ASEAN Summit was successfully held in Labuan Bajo in May 2023, where many concrete agreements and solutions were created for the sake of one goal, namely the welfare of the people in the Southeast Asian Region and globally.
ASEAN is the geopolitical and economic organization of countries in the Southeast Asian region. This organization aims to increase economic growth, social progress and cultural development of its member countries, promote peace and stability at the regional level, and increase opportunities to discuss differences between its members in a peaceful manner.
A total of 22 countries were present, including 11 ASEAN countries, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia and Timor Leste. Then, there were nine partner countries invited including the Republic of Korea, India, Japan, China, New Zealand, Canada, Australia, Russia and the United States (US).
With the addition of two more countries, namely, Bangladesh as Chair of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and Cooks Island as Chair of the Pacific Island Forum (PIF). There will also be international organizations of the United Nations (UN), World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Economic Forum, IORA, and PIF.
According to the Director General of ASEAN Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemlu), Sidharto R Suryodipuro, Indonesia is the main leader where President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) leads 12. The 43rd ASEAN Summit also invited the IMF and World Bank as well as a number of other world organizations.
Previously, President Joko Widodo had expressed his belief that ASEAN would be able to face various current global challenges. For this reason, he firmly invited Heads of State/Heads of Government to work together to strengthen the unity of ASEAN countries, so that ASEAN would be able to become a central player in bringing peace and growth.
Various national interests are contained in Indonesia’s continued diplomatic efforts, especially since Indonesia’s chairmanship at the 2023 ASEAN Summit is a momentum to demonstrate Indonesia’s economic resilience. So that Indonesia deserves to be a destination for foreign investment. The holding of the 2023 ASEAN Summit also boosted the national economy in various cities where side events were held. Indonesia also always expects and continues to strive to create real cooperation in ASEAN in various fields, such as in the education, energy, financial stability sectors, to combating human trafficking.
Indonesia’s role in ASEAN has proven to be very large. Not only in the economic field, Indonesia’s role in the security sector is also very large. As one of the founders of ASEAN, Indonesia has also been entrusted with holding several ASEAN Summits. This is clear evidence of the international public’s trust in Indonesia’s leadership.
Indonesia’s leadership in ASEAN lays a strong foundation for the long-term vision of ASEAN post-2025. This is important to do to prepare ASEAN to face long-term challenges. So we hope that Southeast Asia can continue to be the center of economic growth.
