President Jokowi Invites APEC Leaders to Rebuild Commitment of ‘Bogor Goals’ for Post-2020 Vision

President Jokowi attends APEC Summit on Friday (20/11) held virtually from Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java (Photo by: Presidential Secretariat/Muchlis Jr)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo during APEC Summit on Friday (20/11) called on APEC member countries to reaffirm commitment to partnerships as was outlined in the Bogor Goals agreed 26 years ago.

“In the meeting, the President said that it is time for APEC to rebuild its commitment as strong as it did back in 1994 in Bogor in formulating APEC’s post-2020 vision,” said Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi after the meeting.

The President assessed that the major breakthroughs made by APEC in 1994 were still very relevant today, including the importance of strengthening the open market system and multilateralism as well as the strong spirit of mutual assistance and cooperation to achieve an economic order that benefits all.

“In his statement at the APEC Summit this year, the President said that there was no other choice for APEC to join hands as was done in Bogor in 1994,” said Retno.

On that occasion, Retno added, President Jokowi addressed the tendency of weakening foundation among APEC member countries. “Two years ago, the APEC Summit could not reach an agreement. Therefore, the President welcomes the agreement reached on this summit,” Retno said.

President Jokowi also raised issue on the APEC economy which saw a contraction of GDP (Gross Domestic Product) of up to 2.7 percent, while 74 million people lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

To that end, the President invited the APEC leaders to jointly revive the situation.

“Together, APEC must reverse this situation,” said the Foreign Minister, quoting the President’s statement.

In this effort, said Retno, the President mentioned three things:

First, the President noted the importance of rebuilding strategic trust. “The post-2020 APEC vision is a momentum to strengthen strategic trusts in order to create mutually beneficial cooperation,” said Retno.

Second, the President emphasized the importance of reactivating APEC’s economic growth.

“The President expressed hope that in 2021 there will be positive growth and efforts must be pushed for from now on. For example, essential business travel should be encouraged including through the optimization of the APEC Business Travel Card, of course with a strong and disciplined health protocol. The supply chain, connectivity, and economic digitization must also be strengthened,” said Retno.

Third, the President stressed the importance of enhancing structural reform and multilateralism, in line with the spirit of the Bogor Goals in 1994. (FID/UN) (EST/MUR)