Foreign Minister Sugiono: Indonesia Ready To Cooperate To Build An Innovative And Prosperous Asia-Pacific

Foreign Minister Sugiono attended the APEC Ministerial Meeting. (Source: Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

JAKARTA - Foreign Minister Sugiono emphasized Indonesia's readiness to work together to build innovative and prosperous Asia-Pacific while attending the APEC Ministerial Meeting in Gyeongju, South Korea on Thursday.

Foreign Minister Sugiono said the strength of convergence of the technological revolution, demographic transition, and the new creative economy are reshaping the competitiveness and global role of the Asia-Pacific region.

"This transformation presents a very big opportunity," said Foreign Minister Sugiono, quoted from his speech at the meeting, Thursday, October 30.

"But only collective actions can make progress truly inclusive, innovative, and human-centered," he added.

Furthermore, the Indonesian Foreign Minister said that APEC's economy collectively formed a engine of growth and global innovation.

"We are home to more than 36 percent of the world's population, accounting for about 60 percent of global GDP and our region leads the world in patents and R&D," he explained.

The Indonesian Foreign Minister said digital transformation, including artificial intelligence, has opened up new opportunities, connect markets, and increase productivity throughout APEC.

"However, almost half of our territory is still offline, reminding us that this progress is not felt evenly," he said.

"And this digital gap is very crucial when we consider our demographic reality," said the Indonesian Foreign Minister.

APEC cooperation must address this digital gap as a collective priority, by investing in digital infrastructure, building digital capacity and literacy, and encouraging the participation of women and MSMEs.

"This is how we build a strong digital environment: an environment that empowers all generations to stay active and productive, encouraging people who are truly inclusive where no one is left behind,"

"Most importantly, to make this inclusivity sustainable and dynamic, we must go further, by maintaining an ecosystem that encourages creativity and innovation," he added.

Given the potential that has been shown, focusing on the creative economy in APEC cooperation is a strategic necessity for sustainable and inclusive growth throughout our region.

"Indonesia is ready to work with all APEC members to build innovative and prosperous Asia-Pacific, where humans remain in pole position, directing technological advances towards mutual prosperity, sustainability and dignity for all," he concluded.