Indonesia’s Chairmanship of ASEAN 2023: ASEAN Matters, Epicentrum of Growth

KOMPAS/HERU SRI KUMORO

President Joko Widodo reacts as he says thank you to the media after a press conference about ASEAN 42nd Summit at Labuan Bajo, Manggarai Timur, Nusa Tenggara Timur, Thursday (11/5/2023).

I have often stated that not all is well in this world. Conflicts and wars continue to persist. The global economic growth in the aftermath of the Pandemic has yet to reach its projected levels.

It would not be an exaggeration to claim Southeast Asia as just one amongst the very few regions that currently are still able to enjoy peace and stability. With this peace and stability, Southeast Asia’s economic growth has always managed to surpass the global average.

This achievement would be impossible without ASEAN. Indeed, ASEAN has immensely contributed to garnering the peace, stability, and prosperity that Southeast Asia enjoys today.

Also read: ASEAN Can Get Old Before Rich

Nevertheless, ASEAN must not be complacent. Major powers are increasingly unambiguous in peddling their influence and interests in this region, as well as in the Indo-Pacific.

Observing the present situation, in all probability, ASEAN will face greater challenges in the future. In this connection, what contributions can Indonesia make during its chairmanship of ASEAN?

The Four Spirits of Indonesia's Chaimanship

KOMPAS/HERU SRI KUMORO

President Joko Widodo (center), ASEAN Secretary Kao Kim Hourn (left) and Indonesia Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi at a ceremony celebrating 56 years of ASEAN founding at ASEAN Secretariat Building in Jakarta, Tuesday (8/82023).

There are four (4) major spirits of Indonesia’s ASEAN chairmanship:

First,introducing ASEAN’s long-term vision. Presently, ASEAN is negotiating the ASEAN Concord IV. If the negotiations are successful, ASEAN will have a stronger foundation to carry out its journey and to tackle challenges as it heads towards 2045.

A long-term vision is very much needed by an association such as ASEAN, to enable it to move towards the right direction, and to keep moving within the agreed corridors.

This vision is designed as a guideline for ASEAN as it moves towards the future.

Second, making ASEAN more resilient in facing future challenges.

This is not an easy task considering the dynamic nature of global development. Crisis situations will certainly occur again and will more than likely occur more often. In this regard, ASEAN must be ready and able to make swift decisions to immediately address various crises and emergency situations.

Accelerating the decision-making process is essential, especially during crisis situations. ASEAN must have the capability to do it, to maintain its relevance. The issue of how ASEAN can more swiftly respond to crisis situations has been one the priorities of Indonesia’s chairmanship.

KOMPAS/HERU SRI KUMORO

President Joko Widodo visited the media center at the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, Manggarai Barat, Nusa Tenggara Timur Province, Tuesday (9/5/2023).

Furthermore, as host country of the ASEAN Secretariat, Indonesia places high importance in strengthening the role of the Secretary-General and the ASEAN Secretariat, as well as in strengthening the role of Permanent Representatives (PRs/Ambassadors) to ASEAN in the decision-making process.

If we manage to succeed in doing this, ASEAN will be able to maintain its relevance, consequently meaning that ASEAN Matters.

Third,turning ASEAN into an epicentrum of growth. Peace and stability are ASEAN’s assets. ASEAN’s productive demographic structure is also an asset. ASEAN must utilize these assets to maintain its high, sustainable, and equally distributed economic growth.

Also read: Safeguard ASEAN Peace and Growth

Indonesia’s chairmanship aims to develop several economic cooperation clusters that can support ASEAN’s sustainable growth, such as developing energy resilience, food security, financial stability, and health resilience.

At the Summit this September, there will be many fields of cooperation that ASEAN will forge with its partner countries, for example on food security with India, Canada, and Australia. Additionally, ASEAN also continues to develop an electric vehicle ecosystem with the ASEAN Plus Three (Japan, China, and South Korea).

As an increasingly integrated economy and one that aims to strengthen regional financial stability, ASEAN has agreed to develop payment connectivity as well as the use of local currencies for intra-ASEAN transactions.

Aside from focusing on the development of the green economy, ASEAN is also discussing the blue economy as a new source of economic growth.

KOMPAS/HERU SRI KUMORO

ASEAN leaders join the retreat session at the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, Manggarai Barat, Nusa Tenggara Timur Province, Thursday (11/5/2023).

Fourth, transforming the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo Pacific (AOIP) concept into concrete cooperation.

Creating a concept is not easy. Having said that, implementing a concept or a perspective within an inclusive cooperation framework, is a far more difficult task.

The Indo-Pacific is a very strategic region. Due to this strategic nature, the struggle for influence has also become increasingly rampant in this region.

Indonesia’s chairmanship aims to underscore that the Indo-Pacific cannot merely be approached through a security perspective, but also through an economic lens. The Indo-Pacific cannot be approached through containment, but rather, through inclusivity.

Due to this strategic nature, the struggle for influence has also become increasingly rampant in this region.

The habit of cooperation must be mainstreamed in the Indo-Pacific. To this end, throughout the 43rd ASEAN Summit and Other Related Summits, Indonesia will also host the ASEAN-Indo Pacific Forum, a Forum that will bring together Leaders/decision-makers with the business community. To date, the enthusiasm level in terms of participation and expected outcomes, have been very encouraging.

The four points above serves as the main “Spirits” of the 43rd ASEAN Summit and Other Related Summits, that will be convened in Jakarta, 5-7 September 2023.

AFP/POOL/MAST IRHAM

This picture shows a vacant chair for the Myanmar delegate during a retreat session during the 42nd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Labuan Bajo on May 11, 2023.

I fully understand the public’s constant question about Myanmar. I have stated several times that the Myanmar issue cannot impede ASEAN’s work. ASEAN must continue to focus on developing the ASEAN community amidst growing global challenges. The concrete results of ASEAN’s work are awaited by the 650 million citizens of ASEAN.

For Indonesia, the 5 Point Consensus (5PC) remains to be the main point of reference for ASEAN in its effort to assist Myanmar to resolve its political crisis. The 5PC is the decision made by ASEAN Leaders that must be followed-up. In the upcoming Summit, ASEAN Leaders will discuss to what extent the 5PC has been implemented by Myanmar’s military junta.

Throughout Indonesia’s chairmanship, more than 145 engagements have been conducted with almost all stakeholders. This has been the most intensive and robust engagement to date. Nevertheless, those engagements serve only as building blocks towards the establishment of an inclusive national dialogue to discuss the future of Myanmar. Without an inclusive national dialogue, Indonesia is certain that instability will continue to occur in Myanmar. All of us understand that the conflict can only be resolved, and that peace can only be achieved, if all involved parties commit themselves to it.

In assuming its chairmanship, Indonesia has worked tirelessly to strengthen ASEAN’s long-term vision -the foundation to face future challenges, the foundation to reinforce ASEAN’s resilience and as a center of economic growth, as well as the determination to establish the Indo-Pacific as a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region. Indonesia strongly believes that ASEAN’s success will bring about significant contributions to the world.

The ASEAN ship must continue to sail smoothly towards its destination. Indonesia stands ready to contribute in making ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth.