Seriously Working On The Potential Of The Mekong Area, The Ministry Of Foreign Affairs Again Holds A Connect Forum

JAKARTA - The introduction of the Mekong area in Indonesia is a challenge as well as an opportunity to introduce countries in the region to the country, while working on their potential.

Departing from that, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs again held a Connect Forum targeting countries in the Mekong area, after a similar event last year.

"The goal is to introduce the Mekong Area to business actors and stakeholders in Indonesia, with business actors, organizations and governments in the Mekong Area," explained Acting Director of Southeast Asia of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Lauti Nia Astri on the sidelines of the "The 2nd Indonesia-Mekong Basin Connect Forum: Energy Security Cooperation on the Region" in the Alam Sutera Area, South Tangerang, Banten, Thursday 16 October

"Furthermore, it is to provide economic benefits for Indonesia from relations between Indonesia and countries in the Mekong area," he added.

At last year's meeting, the focus was on energy, infrastructure and food security. This year, the focus is on energy in line with the energy security launched by the government.

"Mekong Basin has a lot of energy potential that can be utilized," said Lauti.

He further explained that there are challenges that must be faced related to the Mekong area. The first is related to relationships. So far, Indonesia has been more connected with Singapore and Malaysia. While in the Mekong area, only Thailand and Vietnam. In fact, there are other countries in this region, namely Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia.

"The challenge is to reach out and then bring them closer to Indonesia, then look for what potential Indonesia can take advantage of," he said.

"Another challenge is to balance sustainability with risks and financing," he said, quoting the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia Arif Havas Oegroseno, he said.

On the other hand, Mekong countries also know that Indonesia has a lot of potential that can be collaborated on.

"Connecting is a challenge. Because not many know about it. So we are trying to pioneer to connect people, business entities to the government between Indonesia and the Mekong area," he explained.

"The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs already has an MoU with more Mekong River Commission on capacity building and experience sharing signed in January 2024," said Lauti.

"We want economic benefits that can be obtained from cooperation with Mekong countries, both in the fields of energy, infrastructure, food security or in other fields," he said.

The current condition is a challenge as well as an opportunity to introduce Mekong countries, as well as attract their potential to Indonesia.

"We are trying this to become a regular, flagship of the Southeast Asian Directorate, with the theme and potential that can be collaborated between Indonesia and Mekong Region countries," he concluded.