President Jokowi: ASEAN Must Strengthen Cooperation, Accelerate Economic Recovery
President Jokowi joins virtual 36th ASEAN Summit from the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java, Friday (26/6). (Photo by: BPMI).
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo emphasized that it is important for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to strengthen cooperation in order to accelerate ASEAN’s economic recovery.
Quoting the President after joining virtual 36th ASEAN Summit from the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java, Friday (26/6), Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi said that President Jokowi, in that Summit, also reminded all about the declining economic growth as the impact of COVID-19 pandemic and the latest report from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on the revision of world’s economic growth from -3 percent, to -4.9 percent.
On previous occasion, she said, President Jokowi reiterated that the world including ASEAN countries are facing two major challenges: the mitigation of COVID-19 and mitigation of its impacts, particularly social and economic impacts.
“The President said that the challenges are getting tougher due to dynamic global situation, marked by competition and rivalry between major powers or emerging countries,” the Minister said.
Furthermore, the President also highlighted rising pessimism towards multilateralism and increasing violations against rules-based orders.
Concerning changes in the current geopolitical situation, President Jokowi also emphasized that the ASEAN plays an important roles to navigate these changes.
“The President has said that over five decades, ASEAN has been established a strong foundation as a community in facing numerous changes,” Retno stated.
For that reason, President Jokowi expressed belief that the ASEAN will be able to surpass difficulties that happen and may happen in the future with the foundation that has been established over five decades.
On that occasion, the President also said that all ASEAN member countries need to work harder to accelerate economic recovery of ASEAN and the region through connectivity.
“Connectivity is the key, including connectivity of goods, services, as well as connectivity among business players that must be recovered immediately”, the Minister added.
Accompanying President Jokowi in the virtual Summit were Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi. (FID/EN)
Translated by : Rany Anjany
Reviewed by: Mia Medyana
