"We are able to act as a coordinating platform for modernizing and reforming the World Trade Organization (WTO) to making it function more transparently and effectively," Vice President Kalla stated at the 12th ASEM Summit in Brussels on Friday.
He referred to the recent IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings that Indonesia hosted, which promoted the importance of strengthening coordination and collaboration to reduce tensions and to encourage open dialog and reformation.
As revealed in the Indonesian Vice Presidential Office`s press statement received by Antara here on Saturday, Kalla remarked that the ASEM should also become a platform for building an interregional and intraregional ecosystem for peace and stability.
"I encourage ASEM to use its constructive approaches more frequently in dealing with both regional and global security challenges by promoting dialogues for seeking solutions for peace and humanitarian problems, including refugee issues," he stated.
Furthermore, Kalla also highlighted the importance of the ASEM to become an interregional platform for promoting the implementation of international agreements, including the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement.
Kalla also suggested that the ASEM necessarily strengthen cooperation on connectivity among its partners, he remarked, adding that he was pleased to know Indonesia`s suggestion on the need to prioritize connectivity and infrastructure in the ASEM framework, including in the ASEM Pathfinder Group on Connectivity, to be followed up.
Since its formation, the ASEM has functioned as an effective base for sharing lessons learned and best practices in addressing various issues for many years but there will always be room for improving the organization to enable it to increase its impact and visibility for the sake of the people and of its all partners.
"By considering the level of attendance at this very important meeting, I believe that we can potentially achieve this goal," Indonesian Vice President Kalla stated.
Held on October 18-19, 2018, the 12th ASEM Summit, or ASEM12, brought together the heads of state or government of 51 European and Asian countries.
During the summit highlighting the theme of "Europe and Asia: Global Partners for Global Challenges," the participating leaders sought to strengthen dialogue and cooperation between the two continents on a wide range of areas.
Among the areas that they focused on were trade and investment, connectivity, sustainable development and climate, as well as security challenges, such as terrorism, non-proliferation, cyber-security, and irregular migration.
Reporting by M Arief Iskandar
Editing by Rahmad, Otniel
Reporter: Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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