Update on 42nd ASEAN Summit Preparation, Topics of Discussions

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on Monday paid a visit to the preparation for the 42nd ASEAN Summit which will be opened on May 9th and last until May 11th at the popular tourist island of Labuan Bajo in the East Nusa Tenggara Province. 

The State Palace’s written statement says that one of the locations the President visited in person included the Hotel Meruorah where the ASEAN head of state will stay and photo session rehearsals between the President and ASEAN leaders. 

Jokowi will then head to the Meruorah Convention Center’s Komodo Ballroom which will host the main summit.

ASEAN Summit to Discuss 11 Issues 

Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi in an official statement issued by the Ministry’s website on Sunday stated that Indonesia – assuming the regional organization’s chairmanship this year – will put forth a number of issues and possible derivatives comprising, Post-2025 Vision, strengthening ASEAN capacity, full membership of Timor Leste, tackling human trafficking, fishing workers, the health sector, establishing village networks, electric vehicle ecosystems, and payment connectivity in the region.

"These are issues or documents currently being negotiated by ASEAN member countries," said the Foreign Minister on May 7.

Myanmar Conflict, Human Trafficking Under Spotlight 

In addition to these issues, one of the founders of the Special Advisory Council for Myanmar Marzuki Darusman said the 42nd ASEAN Summit was the right time to evaluate the five points of consensus produced by this Southeast Asian bloc institution to overcome the crisis in Myanmar, which so far has shown no sign of an end to the violence that is further devastating the country.

Previously, after Myanmar's military overthrew the elected civilian government led by Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi two years ago, ASEAN reacted by issuing an agreement known as the five-point consensus, which comprises a peaceful solution that includes constructive dialog, cessation of violence, mediation between parties in conflict, humanitarian aid provision, and sending a special envoy to Myanmar.

Marzuki sees two challenges that Indonesia needs to overcome. First starts with fixing the approach taken by Cambodia as the previous ASEAN chair. Second, ensuring that the consensus is implemented. 

"These two challenges are objectively holding Indonesia back, not that Indonesia isn’t doing anything in my opinion," Marzuki said in an interview with Tempo on Thursday, April 20.

Human trafficking will also be one of the main discussions at the 2023 ASEAN Summit as this type of crime has grown in Southeast Asia which abuses the rampant growth of information and communication technology. 

"Indonesia's initiative as a form of regional efforts in handling human trafficking crimes will be discussed and outlined in the ASEAN Leaders' Declaration on Combating TIP Caused by Abuse of Technology," said Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Teuku Faizasyah, May,  in Jakarta.

Teuku Faizasyah also revealed that the issue of human rights in Southeast Asia will also be discussed and has been supported by members of the ASEAN Summit.

FAJAR PEBRIANTO

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