The region's efforts through the ASEAN Climate and Energy Project, 2050 net zero target, and Working Group on Climate Change have garnered more strategic cooperation with environmentally developed countries worldwideDavos, Switzerland (ANTARA) - Indonesia B20 Chair Shinta Kamdani used the traffic light imagery concept at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2022 Strategic Outlook on ASEAN to highlight challenges that ASEAN encounters within the geo-economic and political context.
In her statement here on Thursday, Kamdani explained that ASEAN's advancement and achievement can be symbolized by the green light, which means it needs to be continued and developed further.
However, several geopolitical incidents and geo-economic disruptions gave ASEAN the yellow light, thereby signaling that it needs to be careful with the dynamics that had never occurred before.
Meanwhile, red light means that development must be stopped.
The green light condition that occurred in the ASEAN pushed it to become a regional entity that emphasizes green development, Kamdani stated.
"The region's efforts through the ASEAN Climate and Energy Project, 2050 net zero target, and Working Group on Climate Change have garnered more strategic cooperation with environmentally developed countries worldwide," she remarked.
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In addition, the ASEAN has worked hard to intensify inter-regional trade and investment cooperation. These two efforts are continued to be pushed under Indonesia's G20 Presidency and B20.
Moreover, Kamdani outlined ASEAN's yellow light condition.
Firstly, ASEAN countries have differing interests and priorities owing to which they often work in different directions in managing regional integration.
Beyond this, there is also an income gap between ASEAN countries, such as between Singapore and Cambodia.
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Secondly, the changes in domestic political policies also affect economic cooperation in the region.
Kamdani also drew attention to the recent Ukraine-Russia conflict while highlighting the importance to not be overly dependent on goods, service, and capital from any country, as it can affect the region's consumption and supply chain stability.
The problems that ASEAN is currently handling are discussed further within Indonesia B20, she stated. Kamdani opined that G20 and B20 are capable of significantly impacting the global economy.
"G20 and B20 consist of the world's developed countries, which significantly affect the global economy. I am optimistic that we can bring foundational changes during this recovery momentum," she stated.
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Translator: Kuntum Khaira R, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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