JAKARTA: Indonesia will take the lead as Asean Chair in 2023 with the theme “Asean Matters: Epicentrum of Growth”, said President Joko Widodo.
The president, more affectionately known as Jokowi, said his country wants Asean to remain important and relevant, and wants the Southeast Asian region to remain a centre of growth.
“This is not an easy task, the world’s challenges will still be very big in 2023. In addition, Asean is facing internal challenges which is the situation in Myanmar,” he said in a statement.
Malaysia has expressed confidence that Indonesia will be able to resolve internal and global issues involving member countries better and faster, especially as the chair of Asean.
On Aug 23, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said Indonesia is a very influential country capable of solving the South China Sea issue, the political crisis in Myanmar and the Rohingya ethnic group’s crisis.
Indonesia will take over the Asean Chairmanship from Cambodia this year.
Meanwhile, Jokowi and his wife Iriana Joko Widodo arrived in Phnom Penh last night for the 40th and 41st Asean Summit.
Jokowi, who was accompanied by State Secretary Pratikno and Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi was scheduled to hold 24 meetings, including bilateral and other activities.
According to Retno, the summit will be held in two sessions – ‘plenary’ and ‘retreat’, where the plenary session will discuss strengthening the capacity and effectiveness of Asean institutions.
The retreat session will discuss two major issues, namely Asean’s relationship with external parties, including external challenges faced by Asean and Myanmar’s problems, he said in a statement.
Jokowi will return to Indonesia on Sunday for the G20 Summit in Bali. — BERNAMA
Source: New Straits Times
