President Jokowi Hopes Japan Supports Energy Transition In Southeast Asia

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) in Indonesia's capacity as chairman of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) by 2023, hopes for Japan's support for accelerating the energy transition in the region.

This hope was conveyed by Jokowi in a business meeting attended by around 78 leaders or CEOs of various major Japanese companies, as a series of ASEAN-Japan Summits held in Tokyo, Japan, Monday, December 18.

Business meetings are packaged in a working lunch format and hosted by the Japanese Business Federation and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

"In his speech, the President raised three focuses of cooperation in the future, including support for accelerating the energy transition in the form of easy access to innovative financing and technology transfer," said Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi when delivering an online press statement, after accompanying President Jokowi during his activities in Tokyo.

In addition, President Jokowi encourages the strengthening of supply chains to support ASEAN as the global hub of the electric vehicle industry.

The President also encouraged regional economic integration through optimizing the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership, as well as the sustainability of Japan's concrete project in the ASEAN Indo-Pacific Forum.

"The role of the Japanese business world through its quality investment is very strategic to support development in the Southeast Asia region," said Foreign Minister Retno.

After the business meeting, President Jokowi and other ASEAN leaders jointly called the Japanese Emperor Naruhito.

"The President of Indonesia believes that the support of the Emperor of Japan will further strengthen the ASEAN-Japan partnership as a trusted partner in realizing a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region," said Retno.

President Jokowi's last agenda in Tokyo was to receive an honorary visit from the Chairman of the Japan-Indonesia Association (Japinda) Fukuda Yasuo, who is also a close friend of Indonesia and former Japanese Prime Minister.

During the meeting, President Jokowi continued to expect Jabinda to support increasing investment and technology transfer from Japan and to continue to prioritize cooperation in developing the quality of human resources.

"Mr. President also hopes that Japanese business actors can take advantage of various new agreements within the framework of the IJEPA, including the elimination of tariffs for Indonesian processed fish products, expansion of banking access, and cooperation through the New MIDEC (Manufacturing Development Industrial Center) which supports the Indonesian industry to become a regional production base," said Retno.

After three days of carrying out various activities in the framework of the ASEAN-Japan Summit since last December 17, President Jokowi will fly back to Indonesia on Monday night from Tokyo.