"We conveyed that we need US support for the AHA Center (ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management), so that we can carry out tasks or mandates given by ASEAN leaders to play a role in Rakhine State," Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi, who accompanied Jokowi during a bilateral meeting with US Vice President Mike Pence, noted in a statement here, Thursday.
The AHA Center is an inter-governmental organization that aims to facilitate cooperation and coordination among ASEAN member states and with the United Nations and international organizations for disaster management and emergency response in the ASEAN region.
Jokowi and Pence discussed several collaborations, including in the trade sector, during the meeting held on the sidelines of the 33rd ASEAN Summit in Singapore on Wednesday.
During the ASEAN Summit and other meetings held on the sidelines of the Summit, President Jokowi laid special emphasis on the Rohingya crisis.
He called on other ASEAN leaders to help solve the humanitarian crisis being faced by the Rohingya minority in Rakhine State in Myanmar.
The humanitarian crisis in Rakhine State is still ongoing and has triggered concern and created a trust deficit in the international community.
Indonesia expressed hope for a step forward to address the humanitarian crisis, he noted.
"Indonesia is ready! I am sure, the ASEAN is also ready to help the Myanmar government to create a conducive condition in Rakhine State, where freedom of movement should be respected, and there is no more discrimination and development could be carried out inclusively," Jokowi added.
Reporting by Joko Susilo
Editing by Fardah, Rahmad Nasution
Reporter: Antara
Editor: Andi Abdussalam
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
