VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOInews, Jakarta: President Joko Widodo has called on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to be more compact, brave, and agile in facing current global challenges.

"ASEAN also needs a long-term tactical strategy that is relevant and in line with the expectations of the people," the President said when opening the plenary session of the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta, Tuesday (5/9/2023).

He said that ASEAN as part of the Indo-Pacific region consistently works hard to take an inclusive approach to advancing the economy and development so that ASEAN can have a real impact on the people and the world.

"ASEAN as a big ship has a big responsibility, to the hundreds of millions of people who sail together in it," he said.

For this reason, according to him, ASEAN leaders must ensure that the ship can continue to sail even in the midst of storms.

"We must ensure that this ship is able to keep going, able to continue sailing, and we must be the skipper of our own ship to realize peace, realize stability, realize mutual prosperity," he said.

The President also said ASEAN member states have been discussing the drafting of the 4th ASEAN concord to formulate the organization's strategy in the next 20 years until 2045. (VOI/Andy)

VOInews, Jakarta: Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi met Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abdul Momen in Jakarta on Monday (4/9/2023). The two discussed cooperation in the fields of energy and trade, as well as issues in the region. The meeting was followed by the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) related to energy cooperation between the two countries.

"At the meeting, an Energy Cooperation MoU was signed between the two countries which is expected to encourage investment in the energy sector. The two foreign ministers agreed to implement the MoU as soon as possible, including by facilitating the investment of Indonesian state-owned enterprises for the construction of power plants in Bangladesh," states the official statement from the Foreign Ministry received on Tuesday (5/9/2023).

To strengthen trade cooperation, Indonesia and Bangladesh are currently discussing a preferential trade agreement (PTA). With the PTA, tariffs on products from both countries can be further reduced, so that trade between the two can be even more stretched.

"Both Foreign Ministers agreed to accelerate PTA negotiations with a target of completion this year," the statement continued.

Regarding regional issues, Retno appreciated Bangladesh's support for Indonesia's chairmanship of ASEAN, and its commitment to strengthen partnerships with ASEAN. She and Abdul Momen agreed on the importance of implementing the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) in Southeast Asia. Bangladesh itself attended the 2023 ASEAN Summit in its capacity as chair of the Indian Ocean Coastal Association (IORA). (VOI/Rama)

VOInews, Jakarta: President Joko Widodo has answered public questions and doubts about the existence of ASEAN in responding to challenges facing the world.

"Indeed, lately I often hear public questions related to ASEAN, whether ASEAN will be divided and cannot be united? Will the ASEAN ship be able to keep going?" he said in his remarks at the Opening of the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta, Tuesday (5/9/2023).

President Joko Widodo emphasized that the unity of ASEAN is still well preserved until now. However, he acknowledged the dynamics that occur in ASEAN. The dynamics actually strengthen democracy in ASEAN.

"At this good momentum as a member of the family and as chairman of ASEAN, I would like to emphasize that the unity of ASEAN is still well preserved. The unity is a harmony in differences, including differences of opinion. Because differences of opinion actually fertilize democracy, it shows that we as a family have an equal position," he said.

President Joko Widodo further highlighted the issue of equality, which according to him has become a rare item and causes many injustices and conflicts that occur due to inequality.

"But in ASEAN it is different. Equality is the main value that we respect and uphold together in the frame of unity and togetherness so that the big ship of ASEAN can continue to move forward," he said.

Furthermore, President Joko Widodo also highlighted the challenges of the world that led to the struggle for influence by major powers. According to him, ASEAN has agreed not to become a proxy for any power.

"Do not make our ship ASEAN an arena of rivalry that destroys each other, but make this ASEAN ship a field to foster cooperation, to create prosperity, to create stability, to create peace not only for the region but also for the world," he concluded. (VOI/Andy)

VOInews, Jakarta: The 43rd ASEAN Summit Retreat Session focused on reviewing the implementation of the 5 Points of Consensus (5PC) for the Myanmar settlement and the implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP).

"I would like to remind you that the 5PC is a collective effort of ASEAN as a family, which was agreed by ASEAN leaders in Jakarta on April 24, 2021. And the 5PC will remain ASEAN's main guideline," President Joko Widodo said in his remarks at the opening of the 43rd ASEAN Summit Retreat Session, in Jakarta, Tuesday (5/9/2023).

The President explained that as the Chair of ASEAN 2023, Indonesia has engaged very intensively. According to him, more than 145 engagements with 70 stakeholders have been conducted in 9 months.

"And Indonesia sees that trust has begun to emerge between one stakeholder and another, except with the military Junta. This is the time for ASEAN to continue to encourage inclusive national dialogue as the key to resolving the Myanmar-owned and Myanmar-led political crisis," he said.

In addition, President Joko Widodo also highlighted the matter of ASEAN humanitarian assistance for Myanmar. According to him, this assistance is still being carried out by the AHA Center.

"However, the process is still very long. Therefore, for the sake of the ASEAN family, we must dare to evaluate ourselves, discuss problems openly, and find solutions together. We need more tactical and extraordinary efforts to implement the 5PC," he said.

Meanwhile, related to Indo-Pacific cooperation, according to the President, the ASEAN-Indo Pacific Forum (AIPF) is a form of concrete ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific.

ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific (AOIP) has attracted a lot of interest, both from the government and the private sector. He hopes that the sustainability of the AOIP implementation can be maintained. (VOI/Andy)