Indonesian President Jokowi Urges Unity to Make ASEAN a Driver of Peace and Growth at KTT 42

INTI,- President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, emphasized the importance of unity to ensure that ASEAN can become a driver of peace and growth amidst the global economic situation that has not fully recovered, escalating rivalries, and an increasingly unpredictable world. The President made these remarks while opening the 42nd ASEAN Summit on Wednesday (10/05/2023) at the Meruorah Komodo Hotel in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara.

"The question is, will ASEAN just be a spectator, will ASEAN just stay silent, and will ASEAN be able to become a driver of peace and growth? I am confident that we all believe ASEAN can, as long as there is one key, unity. With unity, ASEAN will be able to become a central player in bringing peace and growth," said the President.

The President stressed that ASEAN has strong assets as a center of growth or epicenter of growth, including a growing economy far above the world average, a demographic bonus, and maintained regional stability. However, according to the President, ASEAN must also strengthen inclusive economic cooperation and strengthen the architecture of food health, energy, and financial stability.

"In the future, ASEAN must strengthen its economic integration, strengthen inclusive cooperation, including the implementation of RCEP [Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership], and strengthen the architecture of food health, energy, and financial stability," he said.

In closing his speech, President Jokowi invited ASEAN leaders to work together to make ASEAN relevant, important, and a center of growth.

"Let's work hard to make ASEAN Matters: Epicenter of Growth," he said.

The 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo is attended by ASEAN leaders, including Prime Minister of Cambodia Hun Sen, Prime Minister of Laos Sonexay Siphandone, Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim, President of the Philippines Ferdinand Marcos, Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah, Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong, Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand Don Pramudwinai, and Prime Minister of Vietnam Pham Minh Chinh. The Prime Minister of Timor Leste, Taur Matan Ruak, is also present at the meeting.

The ASEAN summit theme for Indonesia's leadership is "ASEAN Matters: Epicenter of Growth," emphasizing the importance of ASEAN as a center of global economic growth. The choice of Labuan Bajo as the location of the ASEAN Summit is an opportunity to promote Labuan Bajo's potential to ASEAN and the world, according to the President.

The President's emphasis on unity and cooperation is crucial for ASEAN's success in becoming a center of growth and a driver of peace in the region. With the challenges faced by the global community, including the COVID-19 pandemic, escalating tensions, and economic uncertainty, ASEAN's role as a center of growth and stability is more important than ever. The summit is an opportunity for ASEAN leaders to work together towards a shared future of growth, prosperity, and peace in the region. ***. Hans