The Bangkok Declaration signed on August 8, 1967 marked the founding of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and at the same time served as a momentum to increase cooperation in various fields for countries in the Southeast Asian region.
Born through the initiative of five countries, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, ASEAN, which currently has a membership of 10 countries, also promotes regional peace and stability.
At the ASEAN Summit in Cambodia on 13 November 2022, Indonesia received the mandate to hold the ASEAN 2023 Chairmanship. Carrying out this mandate, Indonesia adopted the theme "ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth" which at the same time resonated with the success of Indonesia's G20 Presidency in 2022.
"The captain and navigation of the G20 Presidency in the midst of various global challenges have received appreciation from many countries and Indonesia currently has the highest trust from various countries. The government also continues to encourage ASEAN to become a stable and peaceful region to become the anchor of global economic stability," said the Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto. in a press release received on Thursday (5/1/2023).
ASEAN Matters itself consists of 3 important elements namely strengthening the capacity and effectiveness of ASEAN, ASEAN unity, and ASEAN centrality. Meanwhile, the epicentrum of growth is related to ASEAN's role as the center of regional and world economic growth and consists of four important elements namely health architecture, energy security, food security, and financial stability.
In detail, Indonesia raises three priority issues in the economic sector, namely recovery and rebuilding, digital economy, and sustainability, the implementation of which is translated into 16 Priority Economic Deliverables (PED) for 2023.
"Indonesia's chairmanship in ASEAN will focus on handling multidimensional crises such as food, energy and financial crises," said Coordinating Minister Airlangga.
Indonesia will also strive to strengthen ASEAN's position as a stable and peaceful region, uphold international law, and strengthen cooperation so that ASEAN is able to become a region that is strong, inclusive, and has sustainable economic growth.
Through its important role as the ASEAN 2023 Chairmanship, it further emphasizes Indonesia's position as a global middle power that can substantially influence the global agenda as well as be part of the solution to global problems.
"President Joko Widodo believes that in 2045, ASEAN will become a group of countries that are more adaptive, responsive, competitive, in line with ASEAN's global agenda," said Coordinating Minister Airlangga.
