VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOInews, Jakarta: ASEAN leaders adopted 11 documents at the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta. Of the 11 agreed documents, one is related to the 4th ASEAN Concord, ASEAN Matters related to Human Rights and 9 documents related to the Epicenter of Growth.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi explained that the first document adopted by ASEAN leaders was the 4th ASEAN Concord as the foundation for the preparation of ASEAN Vision 2045. The second is a declaration on ASEAN human rights dialogue which is a new thing and is also an achievement of Indonesia.

"Indonesia is committed to advancing the promotion and protection of human rights, therefore we want the ASEAN human rights dialog to be carried out regularly," Retno told reporters in Jakarta, Tuesday (05/09/2023).

The third is a declaration on disability-inclusive development and partnership for a resilient ASEAN community. "The point is to encourage the participation of ASEAN communities in an inclusive manner, including persons with disabilities in development," she explained.

The fourth is the declaration on child protection and education in Southeast Asia, which shows ASEAN's determination to start education early. Furthermore, related to the declaration of gender equality and family development and the declaration on sustainable resilience, which includes strengthening food security and nutrition in response to crises, as well as on ASEAN as the epicenter of growth.

Furthermore, it agreed on Climate Change towards the 28th Conference of Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP-28) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates at the end of November 2023.

"This document is ASEAN's commitment to the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement in addressing climate change," Retno explained.

The leaders also agreed on statement documents related to Epicenter of Growth, Strengthening Food Security and Nutrition in Response to Crises as well as the development of the Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) and the ASEAN Blue Economy Framework.

"The ASEAN Blue Economy Framework is a new thing. So there is recognition that this Blue Economy Framework is a new source of sustainable development," Retno said.

In addition, according to Retno, this year Indonesia is developing a maritime agenda, including the ASEAN Maritime Outlook, the ASEAN Maritime Forum and Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum meetings will be scheduled as annual meetings, as well as Guidelines to accelerate Code of Conduct (COC) negotiations in the South China Sea. (VOI/Andy)