JAKARTA – Indonesia will again hold the chair of ASEAN in 2023, after being held by Cambodia the previous year. This was conveyed by the Director General of Information and Public Communication, Usman Kansong at the 2023 ASEAN Indonesia Leadership Dissemination Forum across Central and Regional Governments.
“President Joko Widodo accepted the ASEAN chairmanship relay from Cambodia to become the Chair of ASEAN 2023 on November 13, 2022. In line with Indonesia’s chairmanship in ASEAN, Indonesia will host the 2023 ASEAN Summit which will be held in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) and in DKI Jakarta,” said Usman.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi, said that Indonesia’s chairmanship of ASEAN in 2023 this time must be able to continue the positive tradition of Indonesia’s chairmanship in previous years. ASEAN has been successful in becoming a locomotive for peace and prosperity in the region for more than 50 years.
“This locomotive role can only be carried out if all member countries are united and ASEAN maintains its neutrality. For this reason, consolidation between and between ASEAN pillars must be intensified to produce deliverables and a leadership legacy that is useful and can provide benefits to the people of Indonesia, ASEAN and the world,” said Foreign Minister Retno.
Meanwhile, Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani expressed Australia’s support for Indonesia’s Chair at the 2023 ASEAN Summit. Australia also paid special attention to future issues of the Global Infrastructure Hub (GIHub) and asked for Indonesia’s support to oversee the GIHub process going forward, in accordance with the directions of the leaders in The Bali Declaration or the Bali Declaration agreed upon at the 2022 Indonesian G20 Presidency.
“Australia believes it is necessary to integrate the G20 agenda and the ASEAN agenda to ensure the achievement of goals (deliverables) in both forums,” he said.
On the other hand, the Ministry of Communication and Informatics also ensures the readiness of telecommunications network infrastructure when the event takes place in Labuan Bajo will run well.
Head of the PPI Ditdal Telecommunication Monitoring Center Team, Indra Apriadi explained that 4G and 5G networks have been covered in Labuan Bajo. For 4G in residential areas it has covered more than 90%.
“Regarding 4G cellular services, it is 94.51% and at several points there is already a 5G signal,” said Indra.
Currently, ASEAN is facing two important challenges, namely the maximum efforts of ASEAN countries to maintain ASEAN unity and centrality. Another challenge is navigating the increasingly sharp rivalries of big powers and how to ensure ASEAN remains relevant and compliant with the ASEAN charter, and resolves the crisis in Myanmar.
