September 7, 2023
4 mins read

ASEAN’s Unity In A Complex World

President Joko Widodo said “ASEAN unity until this day has been maintained despite differences in opinion between its member countries.”…reports Asian Lite News

Despite the growing complexity of global and geopolitical challenges, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has consistently upheld its unity and central role since its inception in 1967.

The statement was voiced by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) in his opening speech of the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta on Tuesday (September 5), when he emphasized that “ASEAN unity until this day has been maintained despite differences in opinion between its member countries”, ANTARA news agency reported.

Indonesia is holding the ASEAN chairmanship in 2023, with the theme of “ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth.” The vision of Indonesia’s chairmanship is to build a resilient, adaptive, and inclusive ASEAN.

The 43rd ASEAN Summit is taking place in Jakarta on September 5-7, following the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara, in May 2023, it was reported.

The summit is drawing participation from delegates representing 22 countries, including China, Japan, South Korea, the United States, Canada, Australia, and Russia as partner countries of ASEAN. The Timor-Leste leader is also attending the summit as an observer.

In his opening speech of the 43rd ASEAN Summit’s plenary session, Jokowi underscored that ASEAN unity does not mean that there are no differences in opinion between member countries.

He noted that Indonesia, as a country with diverse ethnicities, cultures, languages, and religions, views unity as harmony despite differences, including differences in opinion.

“Because differences in opinion, in fact, nurture democracy. It shows that we, as a family, are on an equal footing,” he stated, it was reported.

Jokowi then pushed ASEAN to further bolster its cohesiveness, boldness, and agility to optimally face current global challenges.

“ASEAN needs long-term tactical strategies that are relevant and in line with the expectations of communities,” he stated.

By retaining ASEAN’s position as a center of growth, Indonesia expects that the bloc will continue to be a relevant actor not only to the communities in Southeast Asia but also in the surrounding regions.

In his opening speech, Jokowi described ASEAN as an “ark” that is responsible for the well-being of its population of hundreds of millions.

Hence, he urged all ASEAN leaders to ensure that the ark is capable of persistently navigating the oceans amid emerging “storms” or challenges.

Speaking on the same lines as Jokowi, Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi called on the unity and cooperation of the bloc in navigating any challenges, including in resolving the Myanmar issue.

“ASEAN can only steam forward in full power if we can ensure a peaceful and lasting solution in Myanmar,” she stated at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) on Monday (September 4).

Apart from the firm solidity of ASEAN, Jokowi also highlighted the principle of equality that is respected in the region.

He pointed out that equality has become a “rare thing” in the world, considering the several injustices and conflicts that continue to occur due to the absence of equality.

“However, in ASEAN, things are different. Equality is, in fact, the primary value that we respect and uphold together in the framework of unity and togetherness, so that the big ship of ASEAN can continue to sail,” he affirmed.

He said the ASEAN that is unified will be able to become a major actor in realizing global peace and growth.

At the same time, as the chair of ASEAN 2023, Indonesia seeks to strengthen the institutional capacity and effectiveness of ASEAN, so the region will be able to respond to the challenges in the next 20 years.

At the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, ASEAN heads of state and government echoed the importance of the bloc in maintaining unity and centrality while engaging with external partners.

ASEAN leaders expressed commitment to “enhance mutual trust and confidence, strengthen an open, transparent, inclusive, and rules-based regional architecture that upholds international law” while engaging with its partners.

Moreover, in strengthening its unity, ASEAN member countries have agreed to advance the use of their local currencies for bilateral transactions and enhance digital payment interconnectivity within the bloc.

The increase in local currency transactions (LCT) aims to support economic stability by encouraging the use of local currencies in bilateral transactions among ASEAN countries.

The agreement on bolstering LCT aligns with ASEAN’s objective of achieving centrality, aiming to strengthen the region and enhance its independence in the future.

The implementation of LCT is expected to contribute positively to export-import activities, investment, cross-border payment transactions, such as the cross-border QR payments, as well as support securities trading.

According to a statement released by Bank Indonesia, LCT has been implemented by Indonesia and several countries in the region, namely Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, and China.

Singapore and South Korea have also agreed to implement LCT with Indonesia.

So far, Indonesia, through its ASEAN Chairmanship this year, has striven and upheld the significance of equality in ASEAN, as the bloc has the role of a “stabilizer” amid global geopolitical tensions.

Through its resilient cohesiveness, ASEAN can realize its vision of becoming the world’s epicenter of growth, benefiting its 680 million people.

ALSO READ-ASEAN Vows To Boost Food Security

Previous Story

Supply Cuts by Saudi, Russia Could Push Oil to $107

Next Story

6 Indian Firms Top FY23 Digital Media List

Latest from -Top News

Bangladesh Elections on EU Radar

EU Pre-Election Team to Visit Bangladesh in September Ahead of 13th Parliamentary Polls…reports Asian Lite News Bangladesh Election Commission’s Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed announced on Monday that a European Union (EU) pre-election

After Pakistan, China Backing Iran Too?

China and Iran signed a 25-year comprehensive cooperation agreement that covered trade, energy and security, showcasing the strategic value that Beijing places on Tehran….reports Asian Lite News Despite its long-standing claims of

US-India ties is a slow-motion catastrophe

For the first time in two decades, Trump’s actions, statements, and coercive tone have made relations with the US a combustible domestic political issue in India, writes Manoj Menon The post-globalisation uncertainty

Modi Welcomes Marcos Jr to Delhi

PM Modi Welcomes Philippines President Marcos Jr to Strengthen India-Philippines Ties…reports Asian Lite News Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday warmly welcomed Philippines President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr at Hyderabad House in

Is Bangladesh Turning Into a Theocratic State?

The rise of radical Islamic influence under Yunus’s watch threatens to transform Bangladesh from a secular democracy into a theocratic state….writes Anna Mahjar-Barducci Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus’s transition from economist
Go toTop

Don't Miss

UK invites ASEAN to G-7 meeting

The G-7 meet, under the presidency of Britain, will commence

Cambodia to promote ASEAN’s spirit as ‘united family’

The Cambodian top diplomat expressed Cambodia’s readiness to assume the