President Jokowi Encourages ASEAN Leaders to Maintain Unity, Centrality
President Jokowi at the Plenary Session of the 40th ASEAN Summit in Phnom Penh, Friday (11/11). (Photo by: BPMI Presidential Secretariat/Laily Rachev)
In a bid to tackle two challenges, namely to navigate externally intense major power rivalry and to ensure that ASEAN remains relevant and complies with the ASEAN charter, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo underscored the importance of maintaining ASEAN unity and centrality.
“I do not expect the unity and centrality of ASEAN to be just an empty word,” President Jokowi said in his introductory remarks at the Plenary Session of the 40th ASEAN Summit in Phnom Penh, Friday (11/11).
On the occasion, the President emphasized three points which must be done by ASEAN countries. First, to entirely implement the ASEAN Charter. “The ASEAN Charter should serve as the basis for decision-making in emergency situations, including the situation in Myanmar,” he added.
Second, to strengthen ASEAN institutional capacity and effectiveness so it can face even more difficulties in the coming 20 years.
“We must establish ASEAN 2045 which is more adaptive, responsive, and competitive. ASEAN must be able to respond to these dynamics in order to remain relevant,” President Jokowi said.
Third, to strengthen ASEAN’s role in creating a resilient region which will be assessed from the establishment of food and energy security, medical independence, and regional financial stability.
“The concept of cooperation in the fields must be clear and continue to be strengthened. ASEAN must be the agenda-setter in advancing those priorities,” the Head of State said.
In addition, President Jokowi invited ASEAN leaders to prove to the peoples of ASEAN and the world that ASEAN matters and is relevant. “ASEAN must remain an anchor for regional stability and center of regional and global growth. ASEAN matters, epicentrum of growth,” President Jokowi remarked. (BPMI Presidential Secretariat/AIT) (GWH/MUR)
