Indonesia Successfully Builds Stronger Partnerships and Collaborations in the Southeast Asia Region
By: Wina Arifah )*
Indonesia’s success in chairing the 2023 ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) drew admiration from various parties. The event which took place last May 9-11 was attended by heads of state from ASEAN member countries. Of course, the existence of this international event is able to encourage a variety of useful policies, including regarding the green economy and world peace.
President Joko Widodo, who chaired the 2023 ASEAN Summit, expressed his optimism that ASEAN would remain relevant and become an important center of economic growth in the Southeast Asian region. Indonesia is determined to direct ASEAN cooperation in 2023 to continue and strengthen ASEAN’s relevance in responding to regional and global challenges, as well as strengthening ASEAN’s position as the center of regional economic growth, for the prosperity of the people in Southeast Asia.
In his opening speech, President Jokowi began his remarks by reminding that the global economy has not yet fully recovered, competition is getting fiercer, and world dynamics are increasingly unpredictable. The head of state also added that these challenges could be overcome if all ASEAN countries truly united. The President also explained that ASEAN has strong assets as a growth center or Epicentrum of Growth to make that happen. These various capitals include an economy that grows above the world average, demographic bonuses, to regional stability. The President also did not forget to invite all the leaders of the Association of Nations in Southeast Asia to continue working hard to realize ASEAN’s ideals as a center of growth.
One of the positive outcomes of the 2023 ASEAN Summit is the achievement of important agreements in the economic, political and socio-cultural fields. Indonesia has succeeded in strengthening cooperation with ASEAN countries in overcoming security, stability and trade issues in the Southeast Asian region.
President Jokowi held a number of bilateral meetings, including with Cambodian Prime Minister (PM) Hun Sen and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Together with Cambodia, Indonesia is committed to increasing economic cooperation. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, Retno Marsudi also explained that President Jokowi said Indonesia’s commitment to increasing economic cooperation through Indonesia’s involvement in infrastructure development projects in Cambodia. In addition, the President expressed his gratitude for saving Indonesian citizens (WNI) victims of human trafficking . That way, it can help Indonesia in handling human trafficking, especially from online fraud or online scams .
Previously, President Jokowi had also held a bilateral meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Minister Retno Marsudi in her statement after accompanying the President in the bilateral meeting said that the President had conveyed the importance for the two countries to immediately resolve several aspects of sea and land borders. Apart from the Malaysian PM, the Head of State also held a bilateral meeting with Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone. The meeting mostly discussed economic cooperation. The two leaders also stressed the importance of the two countries to enhance cooperation in eradicating trafficking in persons, which is currently common in ASEAN member countries.
At the 42nd ASEAN Summit, ASEAN leaders also agreed on the important role of the ASEAN economy to be able to support the world economy which is currently experiencing turmoil which has a major influence on a number of countries. Then, ASEAN leaders also agreed to develop a safe, efficient and sustainable electric vehicle ecosystem in the region, by making a joint declaration in the ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on Developing Regional Electric Vehicle Ecosystems.
The development of the electric vehicle ecosystem is important in order to create safe, efficient and sustainable electric vehicles in the Region. The declaration is a guide for developing an electric vehicle ecosystem that meets standards, has the same standards in ASEAN. Electric vehicles will also be safe, efficient and also primary energy based on green energy.
Indonesia has succeeded in bringing ASEAN into a region that has an important role, for regional countries and the world. Both play a central role as the engine of peace and prosperity in the region. In addition, Indonesia also wants to make ASEAN a center for regional and world economic growth.
Various parties also appreciated Indonesia’s success in the event. One of them is a member of the United Development Party (F-PPP) Fraction of the DPR RI, Achmad Baidowi, who stated that the DPR RI is optimistic about the successful achievement of holding the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, including the positive impact of the ASEAN Summit. According to him, success has been seen from the start, with the selection of the theme “ASEAN Matters: Epicenter of Growth”.
The 2023 ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, succeeded in bringing great benefits to the Southeast Asian region. Stronger partnerships and collaborations among ASEAN member countries are expected to bring progress and prosperity to all people in the region.
*) The author is a student at STIE Indocakti.
