VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOInews, Jakarta: Leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have decided to change the name of the ASEAN Secretariat to ASEAN Headquarters.

"In line with the priority of strengthening ASEAN leaders, we want the ASEAN secretariat to be strengthened and in line with the priority of strengthening ASEAN, ASEAN leaders decided to change the name of the ASEAN secretariat to ASEAN headquarters," Retno Marsudi explained on Tuesday (5/09/2023) in Jakarta.

The name change is an effort by ASEAN leaders to strengthen the ASEAN Secretariat office and strengthen the decision-making mechanism.

"All leaders agreed to change the nomenclature because once again the leaders agreed to strengthen the ASEAN Secretariat," Retno continued.

Previously, the ASEAN Secretariat had signed an inter-Secretariat Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Ocean Coastal States Association (IORA) and the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) on Monday (4/09/2023).

The MoUs contain agreements to strengthen inter-Secretariat cooperation in several priority areas, including maritime, connectivity, SDGs, blue economy, green economy, digital economy and disaster management. (VOI/Andy)

VOINews, Jakarta - ASEAN leaders have concluded that there has been no significant progress in the implementation of the 5-Point Consensus (5PC) in resolving the Myanmar conflict. "In conclusion, there is no significant progress in the implementation of the 5-point consensus," said Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi in Jakarta, Tuesday (5/9/2023).

However, Retno said they understand the current situation, which according to them is so complicated and complicated. They also appreciated the efforts made by Indonesia. In addition, according to her, ASEAN leaders still make the 5PC the main reference in resolving the Myanmar conflict.

"All understand the situation is very complicated, complicated, and not easy to resolve; and all leaders really appreciate what Indonesia has done," she continued.

On that occasion, ASEAN leaders urged an end to violence in Myanmar. They agreed to form a troika (triad) for the sustainability of handling the Myanmar conflict. Retno also stated that Myanmar's non-political representation in ASEAN would be maintained.

"(A) troika will be formed for the sustainability of handling the issue, because everyone understands that this situation cannot change in one year. Because (of) ASEAN's commitment to continue to help the people of Myanmar, it was agreed to form a troika between the current chair, previous chair, and next chair," she said.

The 5PC was agreed by ASEAN leaders to stop the ongoing conflict in Myanmar. The consensus calls for a cessation of violence in Myanmar, dialogue between parties to the conflict, and humanitarian assistance by ASEAN. In addition, the consensus called for the appointment of a special envoy, and the envoy's visit to Myanmar to meet the parties involved. (VOI/Andy)

VOInews, Jakarta: ASEAN expects Japan's contribution to infrastructure development to increase. According to President Joko Widodo, Japan, as one of ASEAN's most active partners and a key supporter of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, can be a major contributor in realizing concrete cooperation that directly benefits the people.

"Currently, ASEAN needs infrastructure investment worth USD184 billion per year. ASEAN hopes that Japan can continue to increase its contribution to the ASEAN Infrastructure Fund and the ASEAN Catalytic Green Finance Facility to support connectivity and green infrastructure," he said at the opening of the 26th ASEAN-Japan Summit, in Jakarta, Wednesday (6/9/2023).

President Joko Widodo said ASEAN and Japan have agreed to form a mutually beneficial Strategic Comprehensive Partnership.

"ASEAN and Japan have agreed to form a Strategic Comprehensive Partnership that is not just ceremonial and not just lip service, but instead takes the form of concrete cooperation that is mutually beneficial," he said.

Furthermore, President Joko Widodo said, geographically, Japan and ASEAN are part of Asia. Therefore, he said, ASEAN and Japan have a great responsibility to maintain a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region. (VOI/Andy)

VOInews, Jakarta: President Joko Widodo reminded the importance of maintaining stability in the region to support the process of energy transition and digital transformation which are the main pillars of the ASEAN-South Korea partnership.

"The future partnership can only be achieved if regional stability is maintained if tension and rivalry are reduced if strategic trust is strengthened and if habits of cooperation are improved," he said in his remarks at the 24th ASEAN-Republic of South Korea Summit, in Jakarta, Wednesday (6/9/2023).

According to the President, efforts to maintain stability are the responsibility of all parties, especially those in the Indo-Pacific region.

"I appreciate Korea's support for the ASEAN-Indo-Pacific forum. This is a concrete form of inclusive cooperation to maintain stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region," he said.

President Joko Widodo further said that ASEAN has a high dependence on fossil energy. On the other hand, ASEAN's digital economy, in the next decade, is estimated to contribute USD1 trillion to the region's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Therefore, he emphasized the importance of collaboration and partnership to realize the energy transition and digital transformation.

"Energy transition and digital transformation require a lot of investment and technology transfer, so collaboration and partnership are needed to realize it," he concluded. (VOI/Andy)