President Jokowi: ASEAN Must be More Cohesive and Agile to Become Epicentrum of Growth

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, accompanied by Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Mahfud MD, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendi, and Ministry of State Secretary Pratikno, attended the Plenary Session of the 43rd ASEAN Summit at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC), Jakarta, on Tuesday (09/05). (Source: ASEAN Summit 2023 Media Center/M Agung Rajasa/pras)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo stated that ASEAN has great capital to become the epicentrum of growth. However, to realize it, the President emphasized the importance of ASEAN countries to work together more cohesively and agilely.

President Jokowi made the statement when opening the Plenary Session of the 43rd ASEAN Summit at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) on Tuesday (09/04).

“The direction of ASEAN is clear, to become the epicentrum of growth. ASEAN has great capital for it, but ASEAN must be able to work harder, more cohesive, more courageous, and more agile,” he said.

Furthermore, President Jokowi emphasized the need for ASEAN to formulate relevant long-term strategies. Therefore, he appreciated the support of ASEAN member states in the discussions on ASEAN Concord IV, which will serve as the foundation for the development of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.

“ASEAN also needs relevant and long-term tactical strategies that meet the expectations of the people, not just for the next five years but for the next 20 years until 2045,” he added.

President Jokowi also underlined the importance of ASEAN to strengthen inclusive cooperation and collaboration with its partners in the Indo-Pacific region, thereby making ASEAN the epicentrum of growth. This cooperation is carried out, among others, through the cooperation of the ASEAN Secretariat with the Secretariats of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), as well as economic and development approaches through the ASEAN Indo-Pacific Forum (AIPF) to ensure that ASEAN has a positive impact on its people and the world.

“As a large ship, ASEAN bears a significant responsibility for hundreds of millions of people sailing together within it. Even when navigating through storms, we, as ASEAN leaders, must ensure that this ship can continue to sail forward. We must steer our own ship to achieve peace, stability, and shared prosperity,” he concluded. (MAY/UN) (AS/MMB)