Jokowi Asks ASEAN Member Countries To Reduce The Dependence Of Fossil Energy

President Joko Widodo (Photo: Doc. ANTARA)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said ASEAN must reduce dependence on the use of fossil fuels and start thinking about transitioning energy.

Currently, he said, ASEAN countries still have a fairly high dependence on fossil energy.

This was conveyed by President Jokowi at the ASEAN-South Korea Summit event. This event was attended by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and other ASEAN countries leaders.

"ASEAN's dependence on 78 percent of fossil energy sources must be reduced," said Jokowi when giving an introduction to the 24th ASEAN-Korean Summit at JCC, Senayan, Jakarta, Wednesday, September 6.

On the other hand, said Jokowi, the digital economy in ASEAN will grow for the next 10 years and can contribute 1 trillion US dollars to Southeast Asia.

"In the next 1 decade, the digital economy in Asean will continue to be estimated to contribute 1 trillion US dollars to the regional GDP," he said.

However, Jokowi continued, to reduce fossil energy dependence and develop a digital economy, ASEAN countries need investment. He also hopes that ASEAN-South Korea partnerships and collaborations can make it happen.

"However, the transition of energy and digital transformation requires a lot of investment and technology transfer, so collaboration and partnership are needed to make it happen," said Jokowi.

Jokowi said that future partnerships can be achieved if regional stability can be maintained. In particular, Indo-Pacific covers the Korean peninsula to Southeast Asia.

Future partnerships will only be achieved if regional stability is maintained, if tension and rivalry are lowered, if strategic trust is strengthened, and if the habit of cooperation is increased. This is the responsibility of all of us in the Indo-Pacific region," he said.

On this occasion, Jokowi also appreciated South Korea's attitude in supporting the ASEAN-Indo Pacific forum.

"This is a tangible manifestation of inclusive cooperation to maintain stability and welfare in the Indo-Pacific region," he said.