Indonesia’s Chairmanship to Lead ASEAN 2023 Brings Positive Impacts for World Peace and Prosperity
In 2023, Indonesia will hold ASEAN Chair with the theme “ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth” which means ASEAN is important and relevant as a center of world growth. This is because, Indonesia wants to make ASEAN 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.
There are three important elements in the meaning of ASEAN Matters, namely strengthening the capacity and effectiveness of ASEAN, ASEAN unity, and ASEAN centrality. Meanwhile, under the meaning of “Epicentrum of Growth”, Indonesia seeks to encourage increased cooperation in ASEAN, especially in the fields of food security, energy security, health and financial stability.
Holding ASEAN Chair, Indonesia also has the opportunity to host the 2023 ASEAN Summit, or the 2023 ASEAN Summit. This year, the 2023 ASEAN Summit will take place twice.
The ASEAN Summit or the 42nd ASEAN Summit was successfully held in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) on 9-11 May 2023. Meanwhile, the 43rd ASEAN Summit will be held in Jakarta on 5-7 September 2023.
The 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta was not only attended by leaders of the organization’s countries. However, it will also be attended by dialogue partner countries, such as ASEAN +3 which consists of China, Japan and South Korea. Apart from that, the 43rd ASEAN Summit will also be attended by ASEAN Plus CER (Closer Economic Relations) consisting of Australia and New Zealand.
In the series of ASEAN Summit events, Indonesia conveyed several important points, including regarding ASEAN’s future vision which aims to build a strong foundation. Thus, in 2045, the vision of the member countries of this organization will be increasingly defined.
The Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs (Menlu), Retno Marsudi, said that there are three main focuses that Indonesia will carry out during the 2023 ASEAN Summit.
First, Indonesia wants to lay a strong foundation for the vision of ASEAN 2045. In the midst of an unfavorable global situation, ASEAN must have the capacity to face the challenges ahead. The organization must be able to make decisions in emergency situations.
Therefore, the ASEAN Concord is planned to be decided as the foundation for the organization’s long-term vision for 2045. This foundation will continue to be built during Indonesia’s Chairmanship in ASEAN.
The second point is that Indonesia wants to strengthen Southeast Asia as the epicenter of economic growth. Moreover, ASEAN has strong capital with a population of more than 650 million people, economic growth which is always above the world’s average growth, and the Southeast Asia region which is relatively peaceful and stable.
The last point, Indonesia’s priority while carrying out the Chair of the ASEAN Summit is to encourage the implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific (AOIP) or ASEAN’s views on the Indo Pacific.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said that over the past five decades ASEAN has built an inclusive regional architecture, in fact, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations has become a locomotive for stability, peace and prosperity in the Indo Pacific region. In the midst of increasingly sharp rivalries, Indonesia continues to encourage concrete and inclusive cooperation with all ASEAN partners.
The big theme “ASEAN Matters: Epicenter of Growth” by Indonesia as Chair of the 2023 ASEAN Summit is believed to have a very good impact on all parties. This will enable ASEAN to transmit positive effects to the world economy.
Member of the Republic of Indonesia DPR from the PPP faction, Achmad Baidowi, said that Indonesia’s chairmanship at the ASEAN Summit would have a positive impact on the world and ASEAN member countries, especially Indonesia. Optimistic that the success of the ASEAN Summit will be achieved, both in holding the Summit and in a series of activities since the beginning of 2023, including the positive impact after the ASEAN Summit. Furthermore, the ASEAN Summit is believed to have a good impact on the domestic economic sector. The arrival of all ASEAN members will open up investment opportunities and improve the image of Indonesia’s tourism and trade.
