Between hopes and expectations, the 43rd ASEAN Summit 2023 in Jakarta appears as a highly anticipated stage to strengthen the pillars of strategic cooperation between member countries. In facing increasingly complex global dynamics and diverse regional challenges, this summit provides momentum for ASEAN to deepen cooperation and build a strong foundation for the future.
The 2023 ASEAN Summit will increase strategic cooperation between member countries in various fields. In an era marked by uncertainty and rapid change, strengthening cooperation is an important capital in maintaining regional stability, peace and progress.
One of the important points that deserves attention is President Joko Widodo’s active role in facing the 2023 ASEAN Summit. By chairing 12 important meetings during the Summit, President Jokowi demonstrated Indonesia’s dedication and commitment in leading discussions and formulating strategic steps with member countries to respond challenges faced.
In this context, the ASEAN Summit encourages member countries to deepen dialogue and coordination in addressing various issues, from maritime security to climate change, and from trade to economic cooperation. Enhanced strategic cooperation can produce better concrete steps in responding to global developments.
The maritime region of Southeast Asia has great strategic value, both from an economic and geopolitical perspective. With a number of countries sharing maritime borders, maritime security issues such as conflicting territorial claims, piracy and illegal trade are challenges that need to be addressed together.
It is hoped that the 2023 ASEAN Summit in Jakarta will become an important venue for discussing various aspects related to this maritime security issue. Through dialogue and close collaboration, member countries can formulate a stronger cooperation framework in overcoming threats and risks that arise in regional waters.
In addition, ASEAN cooperation on maritime security issues also has an impact on broader regional peace. By minimizing the potential for incidents or conflict escalations in waters, the Southeast Asian region can become a model of successful cooperation in maintaining peace and stability.
ASEAN member countries are also facing increasingly pronounced impacts of climate change, including rising average temperatures, changing weather patterns and rising sea levels. Therefore, collaborative efforts in dealing with climate change are very important, not only to protect the environment, but also to protect community welfare and economic sustainability.
The challenges in facing climate change are not only limited to mitigation and adaptation efforts. In this case, the ASEAN Summit can also open the door to collaboration in green technology, technology transfer and sustainable funding. By building this cooperative framework, ASEAN member countries can encourage innovation and access to the resources needed to face climate change.
In the face of increasingly real and urgent climate change, the ASEAN Summit in Jakarta has a crucial role in shaping a more sustainable future for the region. Through strong collaboration and shared commitment, ASEAN member countries can play an important role in protecting the environment and building strong environmental resilience for future generations.
The views expressed by Pandu Prayoga, an ASEAN Observer from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), indicate that ASEAN’s achievements in maintaining peace in the region have become an important achievement. Even though countries in Southeast Asia have experienced tension, especially during the Cold War period and currently the conflict between the US and China, ASEAN has managed to maintain stability amidst these geopolitical shifts.
According to Pandu, an important thing that needs attention is the extent to which the positive impact of ASEAN’s existence is felt by the general public. Furthermore, how ASEAN can provide more significant benefits for the younger generation, considering that around 60 percent of the population of ASEAN countries is the younger generation.
Pandu expressed his hope that the benefits of ASEAN for the younger generation could be expanded, especially in terms of providing opportunities to participate in the democratic process. This view is evident in the context of Myanmar, where the younger generation has become the pioneers in resisting the military rule.
Apart from that, Pandu also highlighted the importance of implementing the agreement reached by ASEAN leaders at the national level. It acknowledged that although ASEAN has many ideas, the budget allocated for investment within this cooperation framework is still limited. Trade and investment between ASEAN member countries also still needs to be increased, so that this region can reduce its dependence on big countries such as Japan and China.
Not only strengthening cooperation in the political and economic fields, the 2023 ASEAN Summit is also expected to underscore the importance of sustainable development in building a better future. Issues of food security, energy transition and environmental protection are an important part of the strategic cooperation agenda at this summit.
Thus, the 2023 ASEAN Summit has the potential to be a turning point in strengthening strategic cooperation in the region. Through shared commitment, closer collaboration and concrete steps, this summit can form a stronger foundation in facing various complex global challenges. We can see the 2023 ASEAN Summit as a historic moment where member countries unite to weave the pillars of strategic cooperation that will guide the region towards a safer, more stable and prosperous future. With full hope, let’s witness and support the positive developments of the 43rd ASEAN Summit 2023.
