Jokowi Stresses ASEAN Won't Be Proxy for Any Power

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian President Joko Widodo or Jokowi stated that ASEAN would continue to uphold equality. As the world faces all kinds of issues, greater challenges will come, and there will be things leading to a tussle for influence by the superpowers, he said that ASEAN is united.

“ASEAN has agreed not to become a proxy for any power,” Jokowi said in his opening remarks at the 43rd ASEAN Summit 2023 at the Jakarta Convention Center Senayan on Tuesday, September 5, 2023.

Instead of competing, he said ASEAN would maintain unity well. He opined that equality has now become a rarity in the world, generating many injustices and conflicts.

However, this is different in ASEAN. He emphasized that equality is a value respected and upheld within the regional framework of unity and togetherness. “So that the ASEAN's giant ship can continue to sail forward,” he said.

In front of ASEAN leaders, Jokowi asked all not to turn the ship into an arena to stoke rivalry that could lead to destruction but rather a platform to forge cooperation and create prosperity, stability, and peace not only within the region but also in the world,

The 43rd ASEAN Summit was opened today by the bloc’s chairman Indonesia. The high-level meeting brings together members to discuss strategic issues, regional cooperation, and economic development in Southeast Asia.

RIANI SANUSI PUTRI

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