Foreign Minister: Virtual 36th ASEAN Summit Adopts Leader’s Vision Statement, Declaration on HRD
President Jokowi joins the virtual 36th ASEAN Summit from Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java Province, Friday (26/6). (Photo by: BPMI)
Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi stated that the virtual 36th ASEAN Summit adopted two documents on Vision Statement and Human Resources Development.
“The first one is the leaders’ visions statement on cohesive and responsive ASEAN, rising above challenges, and sustainable growth. While the second document is the ASEAN Declaration on Human Resource Development for the Changing World of Work,” the Minister stated after accompanying President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on the virtual 36th ASEAN Summit from Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java Province, Friday (26/6).
The Vision Statement, according to Retno, was essentially the commitment of ASEAN leaders to strengthen regional solidarity and mechanisms to create a strong ASEAN region and be able to overcome the current challenges of the world.
According to the Minister, several things outlined in the vision statement document included the commitment to reduce the impact of COVID-19 through a comprehensive recovery plan, the commitment to the timely realization of “ASEAN 2025: Forging Ahead Together”, as well as emphasizing the principle of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific as a guideline for ASEAN involvement in the Asia Pacific and Indian Ocean regions.
“So this is an affirmation that the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific must be the guidance for ASEAN engagement both in the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean regions,” she explained.
In addition, the Minister also explained that the Statement also stated the importance of completion of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement and its signing in 2020.
“The Statement also highlighted the certainty of a timed and effective response to the challenges and crises in ASEAN through strengthening coordination. So, coordination is one of its keys besides consensus and consultation,” Retno said.
A further highlight in the statement, according to the Foreign Minister, was the coordination between all ASEAN member countries in disaster management through the AHA-Center (The ASEAN Coordinating Center for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management).
The second document, Retno stated, basically aims to develop competent human resources who are ready to face the changing world. “To achieve these goals, Indonesia and each ASEAN country will among others maintain a culture of learning in all walks of life and increase awareness of the importance of skills development,” she said.
The declaration, the Foreign Minister continued, also highlighted the application or importance of education and employment inclusiveness especially for women, people with disabilities, the elderly, and residents in remote areas.
“In addition, the declaration also highlighted the importance of applying innovation and the use of technology in teaching and learning processes and developing infrastructure to ensure internet and IT access. So that the opportunity for the Industrial Revolution 4.0 can be established,” Retno concluded. (FID/EN)
Translated by: Fairuzzamani Inayatillah
Reviewed by: Yuyu Mulyani
