President Jokowi: ASEAN Must Serve as “Anchor” for Peace, Stability, Prosperity
President Jokowi attends the Commemoration of the 56th Anniversary of ASEAN in Jakarta, Tuesday (08/08) (Photo by: PR of Cabinet Secretariat/Jay)
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo Tuesday (08/08) attended the Commemoration of the 56th Anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at ASEAN Secretariat’s Nusantara Hall in Jakarta.
On that occasion, President Jokowi reminded all ASEAN country leaders on the purpose of the founding of ASEAN on August 8, 1967.
“Today marks the founding of ASEAN 56 years ago with a spirit to make Southeast Asia a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region. And today, I would like to encourage all of you to reaffirm the spirit,” he added.
President Jokowi went on to say that solidarity among ASEAN members will make ASEAN stronger to face uneasy challenges and global dynamics amid global uncertainties.
“ASEAN reflects a harmony in diversity. Every ASEAN country goes hand in hand with others. Differences do not hinder us from realizing the ASEAN’s spirit and vision,” he said.
According to the President, ASEAN has great potentials including the economic growth, demographic bonus, and global trust.
To that end, President Jokowi encouraged all ASEAN country leaders that ASEAN can really matter, while underscoring that ASEAN must serve as epicentrum of growth that provides greater benefits for people in the region and in the world.
“We have to seize the positive momentum to make ASEAN as a world’s future. ASEAN must serve as an ‘anchor’ for peace, stability, and prosperity,” he added.
As the Holder of the 2023 ASEAN Chairmanship, President Jokowi continued, Indonesia called on all ASEAN members to build a strong ASEAN basis so that ASEAN can face uneasy challenges, be adaptive with dynamic changes, and play an important role.
In addition, the Indonesia ASEAN Chairmanship also encourages the resolution of the violence in Myanmar by implementating the ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus.
“We must realize that this situation can only be resolved if there is a political will from all parties in Myanmar. ASEAN that serves as ‘a large vessel’ must continue to move forward. It must keep sailing. It must not sink. It is our responsibility to protect hundreds of lives of the people within it,” he remarked. (RSF/UN) (AP/MUR)
