VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOINews, Jakarta - Stability is a prerequisite for development and economic growth in Southeast Asia, according to Speaker of Indonesia's House of Representatives (DPR) Puan Maharani.

"Stability is a prerequisite for development and economic growth in Southeast Asia. A peaceful, stable, and prosperous ASEAN will contribute to stability and global economic growth," Maharani remarked during her speech at the opening ceremony of the 44th ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) General Assembly in Jakarta on Monday.

Hence, Maharani noted that the AIPA would continue to strengthen and sharpen the commitment needed to maintain and ensure a conducive, peaceful, stable, and prosperous Southeast Asian region.

"The AIPA member parliaments will continue to encourage the political life of people in the Southeast Asian region to be more democratic, fulfill human rights, and strengthen the rule of law based on the uniqueness of each country," she affirmed.

Maharani noted that the foreign policy of each AIPA member country is carried out based on different national interests that did not prevent ASEAN member countries from having a commitment to coordinate in common interests.

"Parliamentary diplomacy can increase mutual understanding and build trust between countries in Southeast Asia," she stated.

Before chairing the 2023 AIPA, Maharani noted that the Indonesian Government, through its parliament, had become one of the centers of global and regional parliamentary diplomacy for two consecutive years.

"In 2022, the House of Representatives (DPR) led the 144th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly and the 8th G20 Parliamentary Speakers Summit 20 (P20)," she remarked.

Those efforts are aimed at increasing the contribution of the parliament in discussing various international issues, she stated.

"Because we learned that various international issues had a direct impact on the life of people, who voted for us," she added.

Maharani is optimistic that the AIPA would find a common ground for shared commitment amidst the differences between AIPA member countries regarding the dynamics of future geopolitical developments that will become increasingly complex.

"To handle this matter, I ask all of us to be more solid, look for similarities among ASEAN countries, and try to minimize differences," she emphasized.

The Opening Ceremony of the 44th AIPA General Assembly on Monday was officially opened by Indonesian President Joko Widodo. Other attendees at the event were Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi, Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Bambang Soesatyo, and DPR's Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Agency's (BKSAP's) Chairperson Fadli Zon.

The 44th AIPA General Assembly is being held on August 7-9, 2023, and attended by the parliamentary chairpersons of nine ASEAN members, namely Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

The General Assembly was also attended by 18 observers and guest countries, as well as representatives of nine international organizations. A total of 568 delegates attended the general assembly.

The theme of the 44th AIPA General Assembly this year is "Responsive Parliaments for A Stable and Prosperous ASEAN" which marks the 7th time for DPR to host parliamentary sessions for countries in Southeast Asia.  (Antaranews)

VOINews, Jakarta - Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) stated that if ASEAN countries continue to be solid with mutual trust, then the region can play a central role and will remain relevant.

"The outlook of mutual trust and ASEAN solidity is very important, including solidity between ASEAN member governments, ASEAN member parliaments, and with other stakeholders. If the ASEAN is solid, then the ASEAN can play its central role and continue to be relevant," he noted at the opening of the 44th ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) in Jakarta, Monday.

Moreover, the president underscored the need for the government, parliament, and all stakeholders in the region to work for the welfare of the ASEAN community.

According to Jokowi, ASEAN's economic growth continues to be stable and is considered worldwide as one of the motors of world economic growth.

"As Chair of ASEAN, Indonesia wants ASEAN to remain as the center of world economic growth and the epicenter of growth," he affirmed.

Hence, President Jokowi suggested that ASEAN economic integration must continue to be strengthened, supported by the removal of trade barriers between ASEAN partners and increase in mutually beneficial economic cooperation.

He also reminded that the parliament is the representative voice of the people. Hence, the opening of the ASEAN charter that began with the words "We, the Peoples" means that the public's aspirations must be put forward.

"It has been 56 years that the ASEAN has contributed greatly to peace and stability in the region. However, we must work hard since regional peace and stability must always be realized," he remarked.

He also emphasized that the ASEAN needs to maintain an outlook of mutual trust and solidity in order to jointly strive for regional peace and stability.

"For this matter, ASEAN (members) must cooperate and trust each other to become a leader in maintaining peace and stability in the region," he said.  (antaranews)

VOINews, Jakarta - Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) emphasized that the ASEAN needs the support of its parliaments to build a prosperous Southeast Asian region.

"Our task is to leverage the trust in ASEAN to build a prosperous Southeast Asia. This requires the support of ASEAN parliaments," he noted during the 44th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) in Jakarta on Monday.

Jokowi cited a survey conducted by the EU-ASEAN Business Sentiment among 600 private sectors in the EU, revealing that the ASEAN is considered as a region with the best economic opportunities, at 63 percent, surpassing China, 12 percent, and India, eight percent.

Around 80 percent of the respondents in the survey also view ASEAN as an essential region, and approximately 84 percent are keen to increase their trade transactions with ASEAN.

"The survey shows a high level of confidence in ASEAN, and our collective task is to capitalize on that trust," Jokowi affirmed.

He also underscored the importance of all parties working hard to realize a prosperous Southeast Asian region.

"The ASEAN Charter begins with 'We The Peoples,' signifying that the interests of the ASEAN people are paramount," Jokowi stated.

The charter, established during the 13th ASEAN Summit in November 2007, serves as the foundational document of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Through the ASEAN Charter, the organization's principles, rules, and values are formally documented, providing a legal framework for its operations.

The charter also outlines the objectives and aspirations of ASEAN and establishes the institutional structure necessary for their realization. (Antaranews)

VOINews, Jakarta - The 44th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) should support ASEAN centrality and unity in facing increasing competition between the world's major powers, according to Indonesia's House of Representatives (DPR) Speaker, Puan Maharani.

Maharani, who chaired the general assembly, said that the meeting's theme is in line with Indonesia's Chair's theme at the 42nd ASEAN Summit, "ASEAN Matters: Epicenter of Growth."

"The theme emphasizes the importance of ASEAN as an anchor of world stability from a political-security perspective and as a growth center from an economic perspective," she stated during the Courtesy Call agenda with delegation leaders in Jakarta on Monday.

She underscored the need for AIPA members to play an active role in overcoming various dynamics of regional and global challenges, including the crisis in the ASEAN region regarding increasing geopolitical tensions.

"This General Assembly takes place when the world is at a crossroads. In Southeast Asia, we are also experiencing an increase in geopolitical tensions, while at the global level, economic growth is slowing, not to mention the impact of global warming that continues to worsen," she remarked.

The 44th AIPA General Assembly's theme of "Responsive Parliaments for a Stable and Prosperous ASEAN" aims to remind parliaments to be responsive in dealing with various multidimensional crises, Maharani stated.

Therefore, she noted that cooperation between the parliaments of ASEAN member countries is important, as friendly relations can open up opportunities and expand cooperation between ASEAN member countries.

"Parliamentary contributions are increasingly needed in developing cooperation between countries, creating peace, and reducing tensions between major powers," she stated.

According to Maharani, ASEAN needs to reaffirm its commitment to maintaining stability and security in Southeast Asia amid increasing tensions in the region.

She expressed optimism that the solidarity and friendship of ASEAN countries would help create a productive AIPA meeting.

"The 44th AIPA General Assembly is also expected to become a forum for members of Parliament in Southeast Asia to strengthen friendship," she affirmed.

After greeting leaders of the delegates from the nine AIPA parliaments, Maharani conducted a courtesy call with leaders of the parliamentary delegations of observer countries present at the General Assembly.

"Parliaments need to contribute to overcoming various international problems. This can be done through dialogue between AIPA and the parliaments of observer countries," she remarked.

Maharani stated that AIPA member parliaments and observer country parliaments can collaborate in facing various global challenges together and supporting the creation of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Southeast Asia region.

"At the end of the session, AIPA is expected to produce recommendations to realize peace and prosperity in Southeast Asia. The consensus that AIPA will be committed to is expected to help intergovernmental collaboration with parliaments in ASEAN," she remarked.

AIPA's 44th General Assembly is being held in Jakarta on August 7-9 and is attended by the parliamentary chairpersons of nine ASEAN members, namely Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn and AIPA Secretary-General Siti Rozaimeriyanty Dato Haji Abdul Rahman attended the Courtesy Call agenda on Monday morning.

The General Assembly was also attended by 18 observer and guest countries, as well as representatives from nine international organizations. A total of 568 delegates attended the assembly. (Antaranews)