VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi revealed that the 37th ASEAN Summit produced 33 agreement documents.

These documents include the Hanoi Declaration on the ASEAN Community Post 2025 Vision, ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework, Hanoi Declaration on Strengthening Social Networks Toward Cohesive and Responsive ASEAN Community, ASEAN Declaration on Digital Tourism, Hanoi Declaration on the Adoption of the Initiative for Asian Integration Work Plan 2021-2025 then ASEAN Declaration on the ASEAN Travel Corridor Arrangement Framework and Narrative of ASEAN Identity.

"In this summit, all these efforts have also yielded results, namely the availability of the COVID-19 ASEAN Emergency Response Fund, which has committed $10 million, including from Japan, South Korea, China, Singapore, Australia, England, Switzerland, and others," said Retno at the Bogor Presidential Palace, Thursday.

According to Retno, the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework contains strategies to overcome pandemics both through cooperation between ASEAM countries and with partners.

"In this framework there are 5 strategies, namely' enhancing health system, strengthening human security, maximizing the potential of the intra-ASEAN market and broader economic integration, accelerating inclusive digital transformation, and advancing the world more sustainable and resilient future," added Retno.

In addition, the ASEAN Regional Reserve of Medical Supplies for Public Health Emergency is also ready to allow ASEAN countries to voluntarily contribute health supplies to WHO standards for health emergencies while the state partners can also contribute.

For the ASEAN Travel Corridor Arrangement Framework, according to Retno, this is Indonesia's initiative to organize business travel with strict health protocols to support economic recovery.

Furthermore, the Narrative of ASEAN Identity, which is also an initiative from Indonesia, will strengthen the pride and identity of the ASEAN nation.

"At the same time it will strengthen the 'dual feeling' of ASEAN and in the series of summit meetings, friends will also be signed by the RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership) by 15 countries," said Retno. During the meeting, Retno mentioned that WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus was also present virtually.

"The Director-General of WHO, among others, expressed his appreciation for the response of ASEAN which was considered effective with high commitment and ASEAN was open to learning from each other. In addition, the Director-General of WHO welcomed the sharing of ASEAN initiatives, including ASEAN's Comprehensive Recovery Framework and ASEAN Regional Reserve of Medical Supplies for Public Health Emergency," added Retno.

The Director-General of WHO also appreciates India, Vietnam, and Singapore for joining the ACT Accelerator Facilitation Console which is tasked with collective solutions for the benefit of the world and mobilizing funds.

Meanwhile, Secretary-General of ASEAN Lim Jock Hoi revealed the tough situation faced by Southeast Asia when the pandemic hit where tourism fell 71 percent, trade fell 12 percent and FDI decreased 33 percent.

"However, the Secretary-General also reported that ASEAN continues to work hard to maintain optimism and cooperation and achieve progress. In the future priority will be given to three things, namely ensuring the foundation for a proper recovery, restoring higher productivity in the region, and the creation of a better ASEAN community," explained Retno.

Furthermore, President Jokowi said that the impact of the pandemic is still being felt by the region and the world both in terms of health and from the economic side.

"The challenges are still big but the President continues to invite cooperation and remains optimistic. The President welcomes the declaration regarding the 'ASEAN Travel Corridor Arrangement Framework and encourages the implementation plan to be realized immediately," said Retno.

Another thing that was conveyed by President Jokowi was that the ASEAN Coordinating Council and ASEAN Sectoral Bodies must work quickly and efficiently and are expected to be operationalized in the first quarter of 2021.

"In addition, the President welcomed the signing of RCEP because after negotiations for 8 years we could finally sign it and the president conveyed integration this economy must bring benefits to the people of all RCEP countries, "added Retno.

Today, President Joko Widodo will attend five summits through video conferences, including the 37th ASEAN Plenary Summit, the 23rd ASEAN Summit with China, the 21st ASEAN Summit with South Korea, the 23rd ASEAN Summit with Japan, and 1the 7th ASEAN Summit with India.

Also attending to accompany the President while attending the 37th ASEAN Summit virtually were State Secretary Pratikno, Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, and Indonesian Permanent Representative to ASEAN Ade Padmo Sarwono. (Antaranews)