Jokowi: Peace and Security Ensures Asia-Pacific`s Economic Growth
27 May 2016 20:40 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said that the relative security of the Asia-Pacific region would enable the growth the region's economy to grow at a rate of 5.7 percent between 2016 and 2017 - higher than the global average for economic growth, which is projected to grow by 3.2 percent.
"For instance, Indonesia's economy has managed to grow by 5.04 percent in the last quarter," said President Jokowi as the lead speaker for the G-7 Summit in Shima in Japan on Friday, May 27, 2016.
The Summit took place on Friday morning, local time, wherein Japan's Prime Minister acted as the moderator for the series of discussions that took place at the event.
President Jokowi attended the Summit along with Indonesia's Foreign Affairs Minister, Retno Marsudi.
At the occasion, President Jokowi took the time to highlight the fact that armed conflict has a significant, inverse impact on the growth of the global economy.
"In 2014 alone, armed conflicts costed the global economy US$14.3 trillion, which is equivalent to 13.4 percent of the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP)," he said.
President Jokowi also highlighted Asia's economic potential. By 2050 - which is often dubbed as the Asian Century - the region is expected to generate some US$174 trillion, which is equivalent to 52 percent of the world's total GDP.
As a part of Asia, said the President, Indonesia could and should play a role, as well as benefit from the region's economic potential - especially considering the fact that more than 50 percent of Indonesians are currently below the age of 29.
"We are also blessed with an abundance of natural wonders and resources," he said.
As such, continued Jokowi, peace and security should be maintained, and this will require the whole-hearted participation of all Asian nations.
"Once the awareness is evoked all across the region, even conflict prone areas - such as the South China Sea, as well as the on-going standoff in the Korean Peninsula, could be managed in a proper manner," the President concluded.
ANTARA
