VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOInews, Jakarta: Indonesia, as Chair of ASEAN, opened the High-Level Meeting "Fostering Partnerships for our Common Future: Enhancing Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships to Accelerate the SDGs in ASEAN" in New York, Wednesday (20/9/2023). In addition to Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno L.P. Marsudi, the Opening Session was also attended by the Prime Minister of Thailand, the President of Timor-Leste, and the Executive Secretary of UN-ESCAP.

As ASEAN Chair, Retno said, Indonesia emphasized that inclusive partnership to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) remains a priority under the theme "ASEAN Matters: Epicenter of Growth". Despite many challenges as ASEAN Chair in 2023, Indonesia continues to advance the region as a global epicenter of growth.

"Through strengthening regional resilience and shaping the regional development agenda," Retno said in a statement received by Indonesia Window here on Friday (22/9/2023).

Partnerships in the fields of health architecture, food and energy security, and financial stability will protect the region from future shocks that can hinder the achievement of the SDGs. "This partnership is the only way to ensure that the region is the epicenter of growth," Retno said.

Foreign Minister Retno said that the future of ASEAN must be green, sustainable and inclusive for ASEAN people, through the energy transition in the region. ASEAN's economic future is also digital through the ratification of the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement, which is expected to accelerate the achievement of SDGs in the region.

The High-Level Meeting is part of the High-Level Week series of the 78th UN General Assembly Session and one of several ASEAN-related activities in New York. ASEAN Deputy Secretary General, and several Thai NGOs were also involved as panelists in this meeting. (VOI/Andy)