President Jokowi Invites To Strengthen Collaboration To Keep ASEAN A Center For Growth

Screenshot of President Joko Widodo when opening the ASEAN Leaders Interface with Representatives of ASEAN-BAC in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT)

LABUAN BAJO - President Joko Widodo invites leaders of member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to strengthen collaboration as an effort to protect the region as the epicenter of Growth or the center of growth.

"In this situation, we must further strengthen collaboration to maintain ASEAN as the Epicentrum of Growth and our economic potential is still very large," said President Jokowi when opening the ASEAN Leaders Interface with Representatives of ASEAN-BAC in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), reported by ANTARA, Wednesday, May 10.

This optimism is based on the ASEAN economy which grows above the world average, the demographic bonus, and the middle class which continues to increase to 65 percent in 2020.

"Let's work closely together to develop a joint agenda to ensure this area continues to be the epicenter of Growth," said President Jokowi.

According to him, the ASEAN region needs to be grateful for the last three years that it has succeeded in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, thanks to the collaboration between the government and the business world.

However, the President said the challenges ahead are still very difficult, where geopolitical risks are still large, plus, financial institutions in the United States (US) and the world are falling.

In the 42nd ASEAN Summit, Indonesia raised the theme ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth which means ASEAN is relevant and important as a center of world growth.

Indonesia aims to strengthen the capacity and effectiveness of ASEAN institutions so that it can answer the challenges of the next 20 years.

In addition, in this chairmanship, Indonesia prioritizes strengthening health architecture, strengthening food security, including smoothing supply chains and facilitating trade.

In addition, it also strengthens energy resilience in supporting energy transitions towards clean and renewable energy (EBT), including the development of the electric vehicle ecosystem in the region, as well as strengthening financial stability in the face of external shocks.