This statement was made by Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi after accompanying Jokowi at the 11th ASEAN-US Summit in Jakarta on Wednesday (September 6).
"The president also said that regional stability is a common interest," Marsudi told reporters.
Jokowi's statement came in the midst of competition between two major world powers, the US and China, for influence in the Indo-Pacific. It is feared that the struggle for influence will threaten stability and peace in the region.
During the summit, the president of Indonesia, as the ASEAN-US coordinator, also remarked that the ASEAN-US partnership would not only benefit ASEAN but also the United States.
Hence, Jokowi reminded all ASEAN partners that they must support ASEAN centrality and avoid unhealthy competition.
The head of state also emphasized the need for the ASEAN-US partnership to be directed at increasing food and energy security as well as overcoming climate change without hindering the development of developing countries.
Meanwhile, the US delegation, led by Vice President Kamala Harris, stated that Washington has a strong commitment to Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific and supports the centrality of ASEAN.
Harris said that the US supports development in Southeast Asia through investment in infrastructure and the digital economy as well as launching initiatives to address the climate crisis and health security in the region.
Indonesia is hosting the 43rd ASEAN Summit as the 2023 chair of the bloc while carrying the chairmanship theme of "ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth." This year is the fifth time that Indonesia holds the chairmanship following the 1976, 1996, 2003, and 2011 terms.
In 2023, Indonesia is making efforts to retain ASEAN's position as the center of economic, political, and socio-cultural growth while preserving the bloc's relevance as a global actor capable of facing future challenges and promoting stability and peace in the Southeast Asian region.
Heads of state and government of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, and Vietnam are taking part in the summit, which is the successor of the 42nd ASEAN Summit held in May 2023 in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara Province.
Thailand is delegating its Foreign Affairs Ministry's Secretary-General, Sarun Charoensuwan, to the summit, since Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and his cabinet will only be sworn in on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister of Timor-Leste Xanana Gusmao is joining the 43rd summit in the capacity of an observer.
The ASEAN has not allowed any political envoys of Myanmar to attend the summit, as an effort to push the Burmese military junta to solve the ongoing domestic crisis following its coup against the elected government.
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Translator: Shofi A, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Tia Mutiasari
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