ASEAN Summit 2023: Jokowi Rejects Political Proxy in the Region

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo once again underlined the challenges that could  come from heightened rivalries between major powers. However, Jokowi emphatically asserts that ASEAN has unanimously agreed not to become a proxy for any power. 

He conveyed this message while inaugurating the 43rd ASEAN Summit at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) on Tuesday (5/9/2023). This summit was attended by the leaders of ASEAN member states and partner countries.

"We are aware that the world is currently in a state of turmoil. Future challenges are becoming increasingly formidable and leading to power struggles among major players. However, ASEAN has unequivocally agreed not to serve as a proxy for any power," stated Jokowi during his speech, as broadcasted on the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube channel on Tuesday (5/9/2023).

He conveyed that ASEAN is open to collaborating with anyone for peace and prosperity in the region. Therefore, Jokowi requested that no party should turn ASEAN into an arena of rivalry.

He cautioned against transforming the ASEAN ship into a battleground for harmful competition.

Jokowi emphasized the need to convert ASEAN into a platform that promotes collaboration, envisioning it as a means to establish worldwide prosperity and stability.

His aspiration is to generate peace on a global scale, extending beyond the regional context.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi has stated that 22 countries, comprising 11 ASEAN member states and 9 partner countries, will be in attendance at the ASEAN Summit in Jakarta. In addition, Retno has also confirmed the participation of several international organizations in this summit.

Retno said that international organizations that have partnerships with ASEAN will be in attendance.

"These organizations include the UN, which will be represented by the UN Secretary-General, and we will also have the presence of the World Bank, IMF, as well as the World Economic Forum, IORA, and PIF. So, in total, we will have 22 countries and nine international organizations," Retno said after observing the ASEAN Summit venue on Friday (1/9/2023).

Lizsa Egeham contributed to this report.