At The Laos ASEAN Summit, Vice President Ma'ruf Emphasized The Importance Of AOIP For Regional Cooperation Guidelines

Indonesian Vice President Ma'ruf Amin gave a statement at the 44th ASEAN Summit, in Vientiane, Laos, Wednesday, October 9, 2024. (doc Setwapres)

JAKARTA - Vice President (Vice President) Ma'ruf Amin emphasized that maintaining stability in the region is one of the things needed so that the big ASEAN ship continues to sail, especially in the face of future challenges.

"In a world that continues to change rapidly, the challenges of the future demand that ASEAN continue to adapt and collaborate more closely. We need three things so that the big ASEAN ship continues to sail. First, rowing togetherness. Maintaining the stability of the crucial area for the future of ASEAN," said Vice President Ma'ruf Amin at the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits in Vientiane, Laos, Wednesday, October 9, confiscated by Antara.

The Vice President explained that togetherness rowing, innovation screens, and sustainability compasses are three things needed so that ASEAN ships continue to sail

To maintain togetherness, the Vice President said the importance of continuing to ensure the mainstreaming of the implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) as a strategic guide for cooperation in areas that further strengthen ASEAN centrality.

In his remarks, Vice President Ma'ruf said that Indonesia appreciated the implementation of the 2nd ASEAN-Indo Pacific Forum and the establishment of the ASEAN-Indo Pacific business network as a form of concrete cooperation within the framework of AOIP.

In order for the rowing togetherness to be stronger, the Vice President welcomed the AOIP Declaration as the main reference for the architecture of an area that is inclusive and centered on ASEAN.

In addition to stability, the Vice President also highlighted technological advances and digitization such as the wind of change which continues to blow rapidly.

"In order for ASEAN to become the center of world economic growth, we need to continue to encourage more in-depth innovation and economic integration," said the Vice President.

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is a screen for ASEAN innovation to compete in a new era of the global economy that is increasingly integrated and sustainable.

Indonesia also welcomed Chile, Sri Lanka, and Hong Kong's desire to join the RCEP.

According to the Vice President, ASEAN must continue to strengthen RCEP, including through the appointment of executive directors and activation of RCEP units at the ASEAN Secretariat.

Then on the sustainability compass, Vice President Ma'ruf said ASEAN needs to be adaptive and responsive in responding to current and future challenges, such as climate change, the threat of food security and world water scarcity.

Therefore, ASEAN must continue to be committed to development that is not only pursuing economic growth but also sustainability. The ASEAN 2045 Community Vision is our sustainability compass which needs to continue to be complemented by concrete strategic plans.

At Laos Chairship in 2024, Indonesia has become a promoter of the establishment of the ASEAN Blue Economy Task Force as a guide for various blue economy cooperation in the region.

"I hope that the strategic plan for implementing the 2045 vision can be agreed upon next year in Malaysia," said the Vice President.

The 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits carry the theme "Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience", namely efforts to increase connectivity and resilience which are becoming very important to ensure ASEAN collective efforts in strengthening the ASEAN Community to take advantage of opportunities and overcome current and effective challenges.