44th ASEAN Summit: VP Ma’ruf Amin Highlights Three Key Achievements

Vice President K.H. Ma’ruf Amin attended the Plenary Session in Room 3, 1st Floor, National Convention Center (NCC), Vientiane, Laos, on Wednesday (10/09). (Source: BPMI Setwapres)

Vice President K.H. Ma’ruf Amin Wednesday (10/09) attended the Plenary Session in Room 3, 1st Floor, National Convention Center (NCC), Vientiane, Laos.

On that occasion, the Vice President highlighted three significant achievements in strengthening ASEAN’s role over the past decade.

“At least three important milestones have been achieved in strengthening ASEAN’s role over the last decade,” he stated.

First, the Vice President commended the adoption of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) as ASEAN’s strategic guide in responding to increasingly complex regional and global dynamics.

“The adoption of AOIP, or the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, as a strategic guide for regional cooperation, has further solidified ASEAN’s centrality,” he said.

Second, the Vice President also mentioned that economic integration through the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is a monumental achievement that strengthens ASEAN’s position in the global trade landscape.

“RCEP, or the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, has become the largest free trade agreement in the world, covering nearly 30% of global trade and one-third of the world’s population,” he remarked.

Third, the Vice President urged for the acceptance of Timor Leste as a full member of ASEAN, in line with the agreed-upon roadmap, describing this as a historic step that would reinforce solidarity among Southeast Asian nations.

“Timor Leste’s membership is a historic step that not only strengthens regional solidarity but also reaffirms ASEAN’s commitment and identity as an inclusive organization,” he stated.

However, the Vice President cautioned ASEAN against becoming complacent with these three achievements. He reminded that ASEAN must continue to adapt and enhance cooperation to face increasingly dynamic global challenges.

“In a rapidly changing world, future challenges require ASEAN to continuously adapt and collaborate more closely,” he concluded. (BPMI of Vice-Presidential Secretariat/DNS) (AS/EP)