ASEAN's strength is centered on a culture of cooperation, peace, and respect for the diversity of ASEAN countries
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Vice President Ma'ruf Amin accentuated that ASEAN's strength is centered on a culture of cooperation, peace, and respect for diversity.

The vice president made the statement during his keynote speech at the 2023 ASEAN Business Awards (ABA) Night and Gala Dinner at the Ritz-Carlton Jakarta Ballroom on Monday evening.

"ASEAN's strength is centered on a culture of cooperation, peace, and respect for the diversity of ASEAN countries," Amin noted.

The vice president underlined Indonesia's commitment to maintaining harmony in diversity, encouraging peaceful approaches to conflict resolution, and respecting international law.

"As a diverse country, Indonesia understands the hard work of maintaining harmony and unity in diversity. That is why Indonesia is determined to encourage peaceful approaches, constructive dialogue, and adherence to international law in conflict resolution," he explained.

The vice president also reminded that ASEAN's external challenges are currently becoming increasingly complex. He invited all ASEAN member countries to strengthen unity and adhere to the principles in the ASEAN charter in order to maintain regional centrality.

"ASEAN unity and centrality are the main forces driving the creation of peace, stability, and growth in the region. I want to emphasize again that ASEAN is valuable for its 660 million people, for the Indo-Pacific region and for the world," the vice president remarked.

Minister of Cooperatives and SMEs Teten Masduki, Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno, UNICEF Regional Ambassador for East Asian and Pacific Siwon Choi, high-level officials from ASEAN countries, as well as businesspersons at the ASEAN level also attended the event.

Meanwhile, the vice president was accompanied by Head of the Vice Presidential Secretariat Ahmad Erani Yustika, Deputy for Economic Development Policy Support and Increased Competitiveness Guntur Iman Nefianto, Special Staff for the Vice President for Communication and Information Masduki Baidlowi, and a team of experts for the Vice President: Johan Tedja, Farhat Brachma, and Iggi Haruman Achsien.

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Translator: Rangga P, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Sri Haryati
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