"The ASEAN and Japan have agreed to form a Strategic Comprehensive Partnership beyond ceremonial formalities and small talks, but rather, a tangible concrete cooperation that is mutually beneficial," Jokowi, as the president is known, noted in his remarks at the 26th ASEAN-Japan Summit in Jakarta on Wednesday.
The summit is part of the series of the 43rd ASEAN Summit and Related Summits held in Jakarta on September 5-7, 2023, organized under Indonesia's ASEAN chairmanship.
Indonesia is holding the ASEAN chairmanship in 2023 with the theme of "ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth." The vision of Indonesia's chairmanship is to build a resilient, adaptive, and inclusive ASEAN, among others.
At the summit, Jokowi noted that Japan is one of the association's most active partners and a proponent of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP).
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He assessed that Japan could become the main contributor in realizing concrete cooperation that directly offers benefits to the people.
In his opening remarks, Jokowi stated that the ASEAN needs infrastructure investments, with an annual cost of US$184 billion.
He further said that the bloc hopes that Japan continues to boost its contribution to the region through the ASEAN Infrastructure Fund and ASEAN Catalytic Green Finance Facility to support connectivity and green infrastructure.
He also noted that geographically, Japan and the ASEAN are part of Asia.
"This is our home where we grow and take shelter," he remarked.
To this end, he assessed that both the ASEAN and Japan have a huge responsibility to keep the region peaceful, stable, and prosperous.
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Translator: Katriana, Raka Adji
Editor: Jafar M Sidik
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