President Jokowi: Reinforce ASEAN-US Partnership to Anticipate Upcoming Pandemic

President Jokowi Friday (05/13) attends ASEAN-US working lunch with US Vice President Kamala Harris at US Department of State in Washington DC. (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/Laily Rachev)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo Friday (05/13) underlined the importance of strengthening ASEAN-US partnership to anticipate upcoming pandemic during ASEAN-US working lunch with US Vice President Kamala Harris at US Department of State in Washington DC.

According to the President, four efforts must be carried out to complete the goal.

“First, cooperation in building a more effective early detection system,” President Jokowi said, adding that the form of the cooperation can include information exchange and strengthening of detection capacity.

“Second, cooperation to establish medical inventory buffer in the region. It is vital to strengthen regional-level health solutions to deal with global pandemics such as COVID-19” the President said.

The President stated that together with the US, ASEAN can develop the ASEAN Regional Reserve of Medical Supplies as an inventory buffer for health in the region.

“Third, the self-reliance regional health industry. The US can play an important role through investment support, research cooperation, technology transfer, and access to raw materials for production” he said.

Therefore, the President underscored the long-term goal, which is to encourage the involvement of ASEAN countries in the global health supply chain.

“Fourth, regional health financing. Through ASEAN COVID-19 Response Fund, ASEAN raises financial support for COVID-19 handling in the region through the support of friendly countries,” the President stated.

The President also reiterated that to build global health resilience, it is necessary to first strengthen national and regional resilience. He also remarked that the US can play substantial role to strengthen health resilience at national, regional, and global levels. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/UN) (FI/MMB)