Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia at the Opening of ASEAN-Indo-Pacific Forum, Jakarta, September 5, 2023
Your Majesty,
Your Excellencies ASEAN Leaders,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We should be grateful that in the midst of a weakening world economy, the ASEAN economy has proven to be resilient and continues to grow beyond the growth of the global economy and beyond the growth in other regions. With a population of 680 million people, ASEAN is also a potential market with promising investment opportunities.
Our region is not immune from various global challenges and sharpening geopolitical rivalries, especially the potential for conflict in the Indo-Pacific region. To that end, the ASEAN-Indo-Pacific Forum aims to change rivalries in the Indo-Pacific region to beneficial cooperation, and to develop a habit of cooperation with a win-win formula, without isolating any parties.
ASEAN-Indo-Pacific Forum has three main agendas. First, green infrastructure and a resilient supply chain. The ASEAN economy will grow stronger through industrial downstreaming, and the development of the EV ecosystem is a concrete example of regional supply chain development.
Second, sustainable and innovative financing. ASEAN needs US$29.4 trillion for energy transition, and an innovative financing scheme is needed through profitable and sustainable partnerships.
Third, digital transformation and the creative economy. The digital economy in ASEAN in 2030 is estimated to grow to US$1 trillion, and the adoption of digital innovation needs to be strengthened to support the creative economy and MSMEs.
Your Excellencies, let me extend my appreciation for the support of ASEAN member countries and partner countries for 93 cooperation projects worth US$38.2 billion and 73 potential projects worth US$17.8 billion. It reflects our commitment to walk the talk, to build a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific. I hope that the measures that we take can provide great benefits for the people in the region and the world.
I hereby officially open the ASEAN-Indo-Pacific Forum.
I thank you.
(RI/MMB)