Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Asia-Pacific region is the safest, so it is not surprising that its forecasted economic growth is relatively better at 5.3 percent, compared to the global average of 3.2 percent, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) stated.

"In 2015, Indonesias economy in the last quarter grew 5.04 percent," noted Jokowi, who was the keynote speaker during the first Outreach Session at the G-7 Summit in Ise-Shima, Japan, on Friday.

Violence inflicted huge economic losses, he stated during the session moderated by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

"In 2014, the economic impact of armed violence on the global economy in 2014 measured a staggering US$14.3 trillion, or 13.4 percent of the global gross domestic product (GDP)," the president, who was accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Retno L.P. Marsudi, pointed out.

The world also understands that Asia still has immense potential to develop further, he emphasized.

Based on a projection of the Asian Century 2050 report, Asias GDP will increase to $174 trillion in 2050, or 52 percent of the global GDP.

Indonesia, as a nation in Asia, is optimistic of being part of the Asian Century.

"At present, more than 50 percent of Indonesias population is below 29 years of age. Indonesia is also blessed with abundant natural and energy resources," Jokowi remarked.

Peace and stability must be created and maintained, hence Asian nations, with complete focus, must promote them, he noted.

The president also affirmed that all potential conflicts in Asia, such as the disputes in the South China Sea and Korean Strait, must be resolved amicably.

President Jokowi is in Japan for the G-7 Summit.

On the sidelines of the summit, President Jokowi held bilateral meetings respectively with Prime Minister Abe and with French President Francois Hollande.

Jokowi is scheduled to return to Jakarta on Friday evening.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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