VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Indonesian government is encouraging the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum to provide global market access for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through integration into the digital economy.

This encouragement was conveyed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Trade when attending the APEC Forum Ministerial Meeting which was held for the first time virtually on November 16, according to a written statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs received in Jakarta, Tuesday.

In her statement, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said that the differences of opinion that have occurred between several economies have disrupted APEC's efforts in the last two years. For that, it is time for APEC to put aside differences and restore world confidence.

This can be done through the Post-2020 APEC Vision which will become APEC's fundamental guide for the next 20 years, continuing the vision of the APEC Bogor Goals 1994 which will end this year.

The Bogor Goals are a declaration produced at the 1994 APEC Summit in Bogor, which aims to create a free trade and investment system in 2010 for developed countries, and at the latest in 2020 for developing countries.

With a strong vision, APEC can achieve strong, balanced, safe, sustainable, and inclusive economic growth. To achieve this goal, the Indonesian Foreign Minister emphasized two things.

First, according to Foreign Minister Retno, the APEC collaboration must benefit all APEC members. This can be achieved by increasing connectivity. APEC must continue and synergize various regional connectivity initiatives, put aside competition, and focus on beneficial cooperation.

Second, the Indonesian Foreign Minister continued, the APEC collaboration must be felt by all residents of APEC countries.

Given that MSMEs represent 97 percent of all businesses and more than 50 percent of the collaborative workforce, APEC must focus on efforts to provide access to the global value chain for MSMEs and encourage MSME participation in the digital economy.

"Therefore, the APEC Internet and Digital Economy Roadmap must be able to support the integration of MSMEs into the digital economy," said Retno.

APEC's Post-2020 Vision targets to achieve an open, dynamic, resilient, and peaceful Asia Pacific community by 2040.

There are three main pillars in achieving the Post-2020 APEC Vision, namely trade and investment, digital and technology, and quality economic growth. It is planned that this vision will be endorsed by the APEC Economic Leaders at the 2020 APEC Summit on 20 November 2020, which will also be held virtually.

The 2020 APEC Ministerial Meeting resulted in an APEC Ministerial Joint Statement containing the results of APEC's work for 2020 including efforts to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of the digital economy and technology, and political support for the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. (Antaranews)

President Joko Widodo has consistently delivered a number of messages during the 37th ASEAN Summit and other related summits, according to Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi.

"As a wrap-up of the whole 37th ASEAN Summit and other related summits, I can convey a number of things. The President has consistently delivered three issues," Retno Marsudi said while giving a virtual press statement from the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java, on Sunday.

The first message conveyed by the President is the importance of paying attention to cooperation in the health sector, both in short and long terms, in order to develop regional and world health resilience.

The second message is to encourage cooperation to overcome the economic impact of the pandemic. This cooperation is important for recovery of the world economic conditions, without sacrificing adherence to the health protocols against COVID-19 transmission.

The third message is the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the region and the world in general. The Foreign Minister said that this matter was emphasized by the President because the rivalries among big powers are getting worse.

"Efforts to deal with pandemics and economic impacts will be hampered if peace and stability are not maintained," the Minister said.

In addition to, President Jokowi also emphasized the issue of ASEAN centrality and solidity during the summits. ASEAN must really implement these principles. Indonesia also consistently maintains ASEAN centrality and solidity and will continue to do so, according to Jokowi.

"We can not do it alone, we need everyone on board. ASEAN must continue to uphold and implement the principles that have been mutually agreed upon, for example, the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, and not open up opportunities for any country to bid on these principles," the Foreign Minister said.

The President also highlighted other messages regarding respect for international laws, including the 1982 UNCLOS and the importance of strengthening multilateralism.

The 37th ASEAN Summit and other related summits were organized via teleconference from Nov 12 until 15, 2020. (Antaranews)

President Joko Widodo emphasized the role of the United Nations in facilitating vaccine access for all, while speaking in the 11th ASEAN-UN Summit via teleconference from Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java, on Sunday.

The Indonesian President said that in the short term, the UN must play a role in fulfilling access to medicines and vaccines for all, while in the long term, the UN and ASEAN could collaborate to ensure preparedness in dealing possible pandemic in the future, the Press Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat said in a press statement.

Indonesia believes that improvements to the national and regional health systems can be a strong foundation for improving the global health system, he remarked.

Jokowi also encouraged the UN to maintain diversity and tolerance. He expressed his concern that amid the current pandemic, he witnessed religious intolerance and violence in the name of religion.

"If this is allowed, it will tear apart harmony and foster radicalism and extremism. This must not happen," he said.

As the third largest democracy in the world, Indonesia is of the view that freedom of expression is not absolute. Religious values, symbols and sensitivities must always be respected, he noted.

"At the same time, Indonesia condemns all forms of violence for any reason. Terrorism has nothing to do with religion. Terrorism is terrorism," he stated.

He called on the UN Secretary General to encourage the world to continue to work together, to strengthen tolerance, prevent hate speech, and reject violence for any reason.

"Diversity, tolerance and solidarity are solid foundations for a peaceful, safe and stable world," he said.

In addition to, he also said that the UN must restore confidence in multilateralism. Trust will grow if multilateralism can meet the expectations of the world community, especially in fighting the pandemic, according to Jokowi.

Today the world needs unity, brotherhood and cooperation to overcome COVID-19 and other global challenges, he said.

During the virtual summit, the President was flanked by Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, and Indonesian Permanent Representative to ASEAN Ade Padmo Sarwono. (Antaranews)

Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said that the signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) on Sunday has demonstrated the commitments of peace and stability as well as prosperity within the region.

During the 4th RCEP Summit held virtually, President Jokowi stated that the signing was a historical moment as its process took nearly a decade after being initiated in 2011, and the first round of negotiation was conducted in 2013.

"The signing marks our powerful commitment on multilateralism," Jokowi remarked.

This regional pact that becomes the world's biggest trade agreement covering a market of around 2.2 billion people or 30 percent of the world's population has officially been signed by 10 ASEAN member countries along with their five partners -- China, South Korea, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand.

Jokowi emphasized that all the member states feel the same way about the uneasy process to achieve RCEP. But, again, a strong commitment has made it all possible, he added.

The pact would also intensify the principle of an open, fair, and benefited all-sides multilateral commerce. Furthermore, this provides hope and an optimistic view of economic recovery for the post-pandemic era throughout the region.

"It is indeed an honor for Indonesia to be a country coordinator for the long process (of RCEP dialogue). Therefore, I would like to extend my gratitude and appreciation for every support and constructive contribution from all countries during the negotiation," Jokowi said.

However, President Jokowi emphasized that this Sunday's signing was only a beginning as every single state involved should put their efforts to manage it, and Indonesia is open for other countries to later join this pact.

"This also needs out political will on the highest level. And Indonesia--we welcome other countries in the region that are willing to join RCEP," he said. (Antaranews)