President Jokowi made the statement during the opening of the ASEAN-AIPA Leaders Meeting in the series of the 42nd ASEAN Summit at the Meruorah Convention Center in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara, Wednesday.
"In the long term, the role of parliament is also very much needed to formulate the ASEAN agenda 2045," Jokowi noted in his opening remark.
Jokowi remarked that the ASEAN-AIPA leaders should be able to ensure that ASEAN is more responsive and resilient in facing existing challenges, so it becomes a center of growth and becomes a region that is safe, stable, and democratic.
President Jokowi also stressed the importance of strengthening collaboration between the government and the parliament in order to maintain and strengthen political stability and democracy to guarantee ASEAN as a center of world growth.
On the same occasion, President Jokowi also lauded the support of AIPA parliament members in the efforts to deal with the critical times of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Policies during a pandemic emergency can be carried out quickly, and ASEAN can pass through a critical period," he stated.
During the meeting, chairperson of the House of Representatives (DPR) of Indonesia as well as President of AIPA Puan Maharani attended and directly led the delegation of AIPA representatives.
Earlier, on Tuesday (May 9), Maharani said that the ASEAN-AIPA Leaders Meeting was an important forum as a platform for dialogue and cooperation between state leaders and ASEAN parliaments that are members of AIPA.
"ASEAN-AIPA Leaders Interface is an important platform for dialogue and consultation between ASEAN Leaders and AIPA," she remarked.
In this chairmanship, Indonesia takes the theme of "ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth" which means that ASEAN is relevant and important as a center of world growth.
Indonesia aims to strengthen the capacity and effectiveness of the ASEAN institutions, so that they are able to respond to challenges for the next two decades.
Indonesia will oversee the region towards ASEAN 2045 that needs to be more adaptive, responsive, and competitive in the ASEAN way in accordance with the principles of the ASEAN Charter.
In its chairmanship, Indonesia invites ASEAN countries to play an active role and offer ideas and solutions for peace and prosperity in the region.
As the chairman, Indonesia also aims to strengthen economic recovery and make Southeast Asia as an engine of sustainable growth.
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Translator: Gilang Galiartha, Cindy Frishanti Octavia
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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