President Jokowi: The ASEAN "Ship" Must Keep Sailing
Every state leader has a shared responsibility not to create new conflicts and reduce tensions. President Jokowi's statement was delivered at the closing of the 43rd ASEAN Summit.
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The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI. The original article can be found in Presiden Jokowi: ”Kapal” ASEAN Harus Terus Berlayar
President Joko Widodo delivered a press statement regarding the implementation and outcomes of the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta, on Thursday (7/9/2023). Joko Widodo, among other things, conveyed that amidst difficult situations, Indonesia's chairmanship had achieved a lot in efforts to maintain peace, stability and prosperity in the region.
JAKARTA, KOMPAS - National leaders need to ensure that Southeast Asia and its surrounding region remain peaceful, stable, and on the path to prosperity. Each leader has a collective responsibility to avoid creating new conflicts and to de-escalate tensions.
On Thursday (7/9/2023), President Joko Widodo stated in a press release after the conclusion of the 43rd ASEAN Summit at the Jakarta Convention Center in Jakarta that the summit proceeded smoothly despite difficult circumstances. Efforts to maintain peace, stability, and prosperity in the region were also deemed effective.
"At the forum, I did convey that every present leader has a great responsibility not to create new conflicts, not to create new tensions, and at the same time, we have a responsibility to lower the heated tension, to thaw the frozen atmosphere, to create a space for dialogue," he told reporters.
Also read: The ASEAN Summit is considered insufficient to accommodate civil society problems
President Jokowi added that the world would crumble if conflicts and tensions in one place are brought to other regions and used as reasons for interest conflicts. Therefore, ASEAN must be able to manage the existing differences. ASEAN must not be caught up in rivalries or overwhelmed.
"In the forum, I expressed that every attending leader has a big responsibility to not create new conflicts, not create new tension, and at the same time, we have a responsibility to lower the heated tension, to thaw the frozen atmosphere, and to create a space for dialogue."
The appearance of the choir marked the end of the closing ceremony of the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta on Thursday (7/9/2023). Indonesia officially handed over the chairmanship of ASEAN 2024 to Laos.
For this reason, this world needs an anchor and neutralizer. This role, which President Jokowi said, is carried out by ASEAN. "Being a contributor to stability, peace, and becoming the epicenter of growth," he said.
Asked about whether it is appropriate to focus on ASEAN issues as the center of economic growth while there are still many real challenges such as the Myanmar and South China Sea issues.
"I see it as Indonesia's duty, along with other ASEAN countries, to ensure that ASEAN's 'ship' keeps sailing."
The President emphasized, "Precisely, very precise." Because, according to him, amidst the rivalry and geopolitical tensions, the world needs an axis to keep it on its course. ASEAN also has a great potential to become that anchor. With an above-average economic growth compared to the world's average and a demographic bonus, as well as maintained political stability. "I see it as Indonesia's task, along with other ASEAN countries, to ensure that the 'ship' of ASEAN must continue to sail," he said.
Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi added in her speech that President Jokowi emphasized the importance of all leaders being part of the effort to create stability and security for peace. In addition, it is necessary for everyone to truly do what is desired. Because in reality, all leaders convey the same desire. Next, how all leaders achieve that desire.
Leaders' Statement
In addition, at the 18th East Asia Summit (EAS), the Statement of Leaders regarding the center of growth was also agreed upon. President Jokowi said the process leading to the birth of the Leaders' Statement was not easy. There is a strong geopolitical tug-of-war that reminds President Jokowi of holding the G-20 Summit in Bali last year. "But, Alhamdullilah a consensus was reached," he said.
ASEAN as part of the Asia-Pacific region continues to work hard, collaborate, and urge all parties to maintain peace and stability in the region.
Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi added explanations regarding the results of the 43rd ASEAN Summit while accompanying President Joko Widodo in a press statement in Jakarta on Thursday (7/9/2023). Among other things, Joko Widodo conveyed that in the midst of difficult circumstances, Indonesia's leadership has achieved much in efforts to maintain peace, stability, and prosperity in the region.
Retno added that the negotiation documents for the EAS could only be finalized five minutes before the start of the event. "Once again, amidst sharp and wide differences, there is still hope (and) optimism for cooperation and declarations made regarding the epicenter of growth, its benefits for hundreds of millions of people in Southeast Asia and beyond," she said.
Indonesia and ASEAN are also continuing to realize their commitment to voice the interests of developing countries, including Pacific countries. This, according to the President, includes the right to improve the welfare of each country's society through industrial downstreaming. This will also be voiced at the G-20 Summit in India. President Jokowi will depart for India on Friday (8/9/2023) until Monday (11/9/2023).
"At the ASEAN Plus Three (APT) Summit, there was cooperation discussed regarding the EV (electric vehicle) ecosystem and many more, including strengthening all pillars under Indonesia's leadership, such as food security, energy, health, and finance."
As part of the series of the 43rd ASEAN Summit and related meetings, there was also the full support for the development of the electric vehicle ecosystem from China, Japan, and South Korea.
Retno added that everything produced at the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo in mid-May responded to the needs of the community, starting from protection of migrant workers, protection of ship crew (ABK), village networks, the one health initiative (one health initiative< /i>), to build an electric vehicle ecosystem among ASEAN countries. At the 43rd ASEAN Summit, what was agreed at the 42nd ASEAN Summit was translated with partners. "So at the ASEAN Plus Three (APT) Summit, cooperation emerged regarding the EV (electric vehicle) ecosystem and much more, including during Indonesia's chairmanship, the pillars that could support it were all strengthened, for example food security, energy, health, finance. ," he said.
President Joko Widodo spoke with the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Airlangga Hartarto, during a press conference regarding the implementation and outcomes of the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta on Thursday (7/9/2023). Joko Widodo stated that amidst difficult times, Indonesia's leadership has accomplished much in efforts to maintain peace, stability and prosperity in the region.
Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, who also accompanied the President in a press statement, added that one of the key elements in the epicenter of growth was the agreement on the digital economic framework. "This is a master plan made by the Indonesian leadership which includes agreements regarding digitalization including digital talent, digital ID, cyber security, etc.," he said.
Also read: Indonesia, Myanmar and ASEAN
With these efforts, continued Airlangga, the digital economy in ASEAN, which is estimated at 1 trillion US dollars in 2030, could double that. The target for this master plan can be completed in 2025. "Drafting is still being prepared and Thailand is tasked with following this up until 2025," he added.
Regarding Myanmar, President Jokowi stated that ASEAN will continue its efforts. Under Indonesia's chairmanship, the step taken is through the formation of the Troika mechanism. However, it is acknowledged that the process towards peace will take a long time, although efforts will continue to be made. "ASEAN will not be held hostage by the issue of Myanmar. The ASEAN 'ship' will continue to move forward to achieve stability and prosperity," said the President.
Therefore, according to the President, the trust that has been built and began to emerge appears in 145 interactions with 70 stakeholders.
