Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesia’s Foreign MinisterRetno Marsudi has said that the country, as the ASEAN chair this year, aimsto push for more concrete and inclusive cooperation among countries in theregion.
Speaking in a hearing of Indonesia’s parliament on January30, the minister emphasised they want to show the world that ASEAN isrelevant and important for all regions and countries across the globe.
She added that they should be confident because the economyin Southeast Asia will still be more stable and grow faster than the globaleconomy.
According to Marsudi, during its ASEAN chairmanship,Indonesia will organise a flagship discussion about the creative economy,digital economy for sustainable development goals, infrastructure development,as well as inclusive business and investment.
Indonesia wants ASEAN to uphold the principle of developmentinclusiveness so that no country will feel excluded or left behind, becausesuch insecurity can trigger or maintain rivalry among countries in the region,Marsudi said.
Earlier, at a ceremony to launch Indonesia's 2023 ASEANchairmanship on January 29, Indonesian President Joko Widodo emphasised itstheme of "ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth".
He said Indonesia, as Southeast Asia's largest economy,should foster initiatives and concrete steps to solve crucial regional issuesand lead other member states to contribute to the world amid the current challengingsituation.
ASEAN will continue to maintain economic growth, peace, andstability in the region, he said./.