Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia: The 2023 ASEAN Summit Will Have an Impact on Strengthening Energy Security
West Manggarai – Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs (Menlu), Retno Marsudi said that the agenda for the 2023 ASEAN Summit was able to have an impact on strengthening energy security. Not only that, it is also regarding the development of the electric vehicle ecosystem which is a priority discussion in Indonesia’s chairmanship at the 2023 ASEAN Summit.
The 2023 ASEAN Summit agreed on the use of electric vehicles. The significant role of electric vehicles in efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, accelerate energy transitions, decarbonize the land transportation sector in the region, achieve net-zero emission targets, and increase energy security in each ASEAN member country.
The ASEAN Summit also agreed that in the future regional countries will prioritize using ASEAN’s own currency in conducting trade transactions and connectivity of payment mechanisms in the region.
ASEAN leaders started setting up cross-border payment innovation opportunities. In addition, it also encourages the use of local currency for regional transactions to support the role of financial sector authorities.
The use of its own currency was also agreed upon by the finance minister and the ASEAN Central Bank in March 2023. Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi then revealed that the priority of using her own currency was to further strengthen financial stability.
“In the meeting between the Ministers of Finance and the ASEAN Central Bank, ASEAN agreed on a commitment to use local currency and expand the connectivity of payment mechanisms (regional payment connectivity) to strengthen financial stability in the region,” he explained.
According to him, the meeting also agreed on protection for migrant workers. Policies to include assistance for cross-area migrant workers at all stages of crisis preparedness, response and recovery to the specific needs of migrant workers, in particular women and their families already living with them in crisis situations.
All the priorities of this discussion are part of the pillars of the epicentrum of growth, which is indeed one of the three big pillars of the Indonesian chairmanship theme.
Then to realize the other pillar, namely ASEAN Matters, the Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs emphasized that the unity and centrality of ASEAN is indeed very important to be maintained. In the future, the big vision of ASEAN 2045 is being prepared.
“In this pillar, a big vision for ASEAN 2045 is also being prepared which is currently being drafted by the High Level Task Force,” said the Foreign Minister.
Still under ASEAN Matters, several issues such as eradicating the Crime of Trafficking in Persons (TPPO) due to misuse of technology, acceleration of negotiations on the text of the Code of Conduct (COC).
There is also the preparation of a roadmap for Timor-Leste’s full membership in ASEAN, up to the signing of the SEANWFZ protocol by the Nuclear Weapon States (NWS), the process of which was halted in 2012 is also being discussed.
Then from the pillars of AOIP, Retno said, while serving as chairman of ASEAN, Indonesia wanted to see strengthening concrete cooperation from AOIP with an emphasis on the principles of inclusiveness and economic cooperation and economic development. Therefore, in line with the implementation of the AOIP, Indonesia will host the ASEAN-Indo-Pacific Forum.
“The preparations are continuing and AIPF will be held in Jakarta on September 5-7 2023, which will be carried out back-to-back with the 43rd ASEAN Summit,” he concluded.
Foreign Minister Retno also emphasized that the results of the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo were an effort to realize the theme ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth.
“ASEAN’s role is very important for regional peace, stability and prosperity. We can’t imagine what will happen in this region if we don’t have Asean,” he said.
According to him, this achievement must be the capital to build a stronger Asean foundation.
“But we can’t be complacent. This achievement must be the capital to build a stronger ASEAN,” he added.
