ASEAN to Become a Center for Growth
Cambodia as the Chair of ASEAN 2022 handed over the leadership relay to Indonesia which will become the Chair of ASEAN in 2023. President Jokowi symbolically received the symbolic hammer from Cambodian PM Hun Sen.
JAKARTA, KOMPAS - Cambodia handed over the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) chairmanship to Indonesia, who will chair ASEAN in 2023. Indonesia will turn ASEAN into an epicenter of growth.
In reference to a written statement from the Press, Media and Information Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat, the handover of the chairmanship took place at the closing ceremony of the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits and Related Summits at the Sokha Hotel in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on Sunday (11/13/2022).
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo received the symbolic hammer from Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, which indicates that Indonesia is now the chair of ASEAN. “It is an honor for Indonesia to be the ASEAN chair in 2023. Indonesia’s chairmanship will put forward ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth,” said the President.
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President Jokowi said that ASEAN must be a stable, peaceful region and an anchor for global stability. ASEAN must consistently uphold international law and not act as a proxy for anyone. “ASEAN must be a dignified region and uphold values of humanity and democracy,” said the President.
The President added that ASEAN must become a fast-growing, inclusive and sustainable economic region. Increasing the capacity of ASEAN institutions is one of the President’s concerns so that the region can respond to challenges in the next two decades. The President hopes that by 2045, ASEAN will be more adaptive, responsive and competitive. “All of these must be fought for in the ASEAN manner, namely by consistently working together and implementing the ASEAN Charter totally,” the President said.
Main focus
While speaking at the 2nd ASEAN Global Dialogue: Post Covid-19 Comprehensive Recovery, President Jokowi explained the three main focuses of ASEAN in facing regional economic challenges. This includes fiscal strengthening of ASEAN countries, including efficiency in spending and allocation of crisis impact-mitigation programs; strengthening international-financial support; and global-trade agreements that take into account the development rights of developing countries.
In the 17th East Asia Summit, the President said, ASEAN has been trying to maintain regional stability and peace for the last five decades. “Countries of the East Asia Summit must strengthen the foundations of peace in the Indo-Pacific, not just sow seeds of hostility, let alone defeat the drums of war. The Indo-Pacific should not only be viewed from the narrow perspective of security politics, but also from the potential for economic cooperation,” he said.
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The President also conveyed three proposals that could be implemented in the relations of the East Asia Summit, namely strengthening the spirit and paradigm of collaboration to facilitate mutual trust between countries; respect for the rules of the game, such as the United Nations Charter and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS); as well as an inclusive regional architecture.
“An inclusive regional architecture will serve as a strong foundation for cooperation that is beneficial to all parties. The Indo-Pacific must be a peaceful, stable and prosperous region,” said President Jokowi.
Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi said, in a press statement in Phnom Penh on Thursday (10/11), that the President expressed his appreciation for Cambodia’s leadership as the chair of ASEAN in 2022 when she met Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni. President Jokowi also conveyed Indonesia’s preparedness to take over the ASEAN chairmanship next year amid the difficult circumstances of the world and the region.
This article was translated by Kesya Adhalia.