Myanmar Crisis Must Not Inhibit ASEAN Development, Says Jokowi

TEMPO.CO, Labuan Bajo - President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo opened the second day of the 42nd ASEAN Summit on May 11 with talks about Myanmar and the crisis that has devastated the country. In opening the session held at the Meruorah Komodo Labuan Bajo in East Nusa Tenggara, the President asserted that the crisis in Myanmar must not inhibit the development of the ASEAN community. 

“Community development is what the ASEAN society yearns for,” said the President. 

Another agenda discussed at today's meeting is the implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, a regional bloc outlook created to address global challenges. 

ASEAN leaders have declared a number of documents during the five sessions on the first day of the summit, such as the fight against human trafficking, the regional electric vehicle ecosystem, the use of local currencies (LCS), and institutional strengthening.

Jokowi, in yesterday's opening, asserted that with unity, ASEAN could become a central player in bringing peace and growth.

"(ASEAN) has an economy that has grown above the world average, a demographic bonus, and maintained regional stability. In the future ASEAN must strengthen economic integration, strengthen cooperation on the implementation of RCEP and strengthen architecture, food, energy, and financial stability," Jokowi said.

DANIEL A FAJRI

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