President Jokowi Encourages ASEAN-New Zealand Partnership in Pacific

President Jokowi attends the ASEAN-New Zealand Summit through video conference from the Bogor Presidential Palace, Saturday (14/11). (Photo by: Presidential Secretariat Press Bureau / Lukas)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on Saturday (14/11) attended the ASEAN-New Zealand Summit through video conference from the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java Province.

“I want to start this meeting by congratulating Jacinda Ardern for her reelection as New Zealand Prime Minister,” the President said.

Furthermore, the President encouraged the strengthening of the ASEAN-New Zealand partnership on several issues. “Today, ASEAN and New Zealand celebrate their 45-year partnership. I want our partnership to be stronger in several key issues in the future,” he said.

First, President Jokowi encouraged the two parties to strengthen partnerships in the South Pacific.

According to him, New Zealand and South Pacific relations are quite strong. For that reason, Indonesia and ASEAN are also expected to strengthen partnerships with South Pacific countries.

“We can use these good relations to strengthen our partnership in the South Pacific, especially in fisheries and climate change affairs. The ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific is our stepping stone to developing our cooperation with the South Pacific,” he said.

Second, the Head of State also said that ASEAN-New Zealand must strengthen multilateral cooperation in the region. These strengthening measures are pivotal to be carried out together, he added.

“We must ensure that multilateralism delivers for all,” he said.

Third, as a manifestation of multilateralism, ASEAN-New Zealand must also strengthen regional economic integration that is mutually beneficial.

Third, as a manifestation of multilateralism, ASEAN-New Zealand need to strengthen regional economic integration that is mutually beneficial. Therefore, Indonesia welcomed New Zealand’s decision to sign the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). (BPMI / UN) 

Translated by: Syarifah Aisyah
Reviewed by: Lulu Wuliarti