President Jokowi Invites United States to Create Peaceful, Prosperous Indo-Pacific
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo shakes hands with Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris after the ASEAN-US Summit, at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC), Jakarta, Wednesday (09/06). (Photo by: Media Center of the 2023 ASEAN/Dwi Prasetya/foc)
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has called on the United States to jointly build a peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific region through tangible and inclusive cooperation.
The President made the statement in his remarks during the 11th ASEAN-US Summit at Cendrawasih Room 3, the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC), Jakarta, Wednesday (09/06).
“ASEAN has agreed to persist in its role as a driving force for regional peace and stability, while also highlighting the Indo-Pacific’s potential as a platform for collaboration. Hence, ASEAN invites the United States to become a positive force to foster a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific through tangible and inclusive cooperation,” the President said.
According to the President, the firm commitment from both ASEAN and the United States to uphold regional peace and stability will positively influence the partnership, including within the economic sphere.
The President also conveyed that Southeast Asia is a region with great potential with forecasts indicating that by 2045, it is projected to become the epicentrum of global trade and contribute 5.4 percent to the world’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
“A strong and sustainable partnership between ASEAN and the United States will definitely not only benefit ASEAN but also for the United States. Nevertheless, the partnership will only come to fruition with a strong commitment from both parties to uphold regional peace and stability,” he said.
On that occasion, Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris said that the United States has an enduring commitment to Southeast Asia and, more broadly, to the Indo-Pacific.
“We are a proud Pacific Power and the American people have a profound stake in the future of the Indo-Pacific. We share historic bonds and common values with many of the people and nations here,” the US Vice President said.
The US Vice President also stated that ASEAN is at the center of America’s commitments to the Indo-Pacific as the United States-Indo-Pacific strategy makes clear the country is committed to ASEAN centrality.
“I am pleased that our collective vision for the Indo-Pacific is in strong alignment. We have a shared commitment to international rules and norms,” the US Vice President remarked. (FID/UN) (RIF/MUR)
