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Discourse: Asia, Africa need political will to move forward
Retno LP Marsudi - JPIn an endeavor to forge stronger ties, representatives of Asian and African countries are meeting in Jakarta and Bandung to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the 1955 Asian-African Conference, as well as the 10th anniversary of the New Asian-African Strategic Partnership (NAASP)
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Retno LP Marsudi - JP
In an endeavor to forge stronger ties, representatives of Asian and African countries are meeting in Jakarta and Bandung to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the 1955 Asian-African Conference, as well as the 10th anniversary of the New Asian-African Strategic Partnership (NAASP). Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi gives her insights on the conference, which Indonesia expects to see representatives of more than 80 countries from the two continents attend during an interview with The Jakarta Post's Dylan Amirio, Tama Salim and Yohanna Ririhena. Here are the excerpts:
Question: What tangible results does Indonesia expect from this week's Asian-African Conference?
Answer: The result of the Asian-African Conference will be both tangible and intangible, but it doesn't mean that the latter is less valuable. The intangible results will be that Indonesia will show-off its leadership abilities. If we don't take this opportunity to lead, would we want it to be taken over by another?
We will continue to make ourselves available to bridge Asia and Africa and assert that when Indonesia grows, we will not be a threat to others. Indonesia is able to combine stability, development and democracy.
The tangible results of the conference will be economic. It is through this that we need to place Africa especially as a potential, untapped market that should be pursued. Our trade target with Africa by 2019 is US$17.3 billion.
If we a set a target, it will be easier for us to meet it. We also want to bring the people closer. But if you talk about Africa and Asia, not everyone is familiar with each other.
Economic growth in Asia and Africa is higher than in many other parts of the world. It's 4.9 percent in Asia and 4.3 percent in Africa. This growth, therefore, offers massive opportunities for economic development.
The Asian-African Business Summit will have almost 500 participants, compared with the 200 at the World Economic Forum. When many of the world's biggest CEOs come to Indonesia. This shows that there is trust and confidence in doing business in Indonesia. We can also bridge our SMEs to take part in bigger opportunities.
We successfully revived the Bandung Spirit a decade ago with the 50th anniversary commemoration of the Asian-African Conference in 2005, leading to the creation of the New Asian-African Strategic Partnership (NAASP). However, the progress of cooperation between the two continents has not been as we hoped. How can we overcome this?
What is needed to overcome impediments is to have stronger political will, because if you say that you agree to something, then you must be ready to contribute no matter how small. It works best if countries grow together so that they can contribute better to each other and to the world.
We also call on these nations to strengthen their political will to keep better relations. Without a strong political will, any targets agreed upon will be marginalized. The same applies to us, as Indonesia needs to be ready to put Africa on our map.
The Asian-African Conference in 1955 came at the cusp of the Cold War leading to the formation of the Non-Aligned Movement. Now we are again on the brink of new rivalry between regional powers. How do Asian and African nations ensure their 'strategic autonomy' in the midst of this emerging rivalry?
We are indeed not free from potential rivalries, but the difference now from 1955 is that any rivalries would be multipolar, not bipolar. If Asia and Africa can combine and collaborate by bringing peace, prosperity and stability, then we will make it. We have to come back to the three pillars of prosperity, stability and development.
I previously mentioned at a seminar that if Asia and Africa could combine democracy, stability and development, then Asia and Africa would matter, otherwise we would be at risk of being influenced by big powers.
How can we ensure that the established trading regimes underscore the principle of fairness in the economy when it comes to developing countries?
It would fit very well with what I call 'growing together'. The gap, disparity could be resolved if we prioritize the strategy.
How do we expand our outreach to Africa? Does Indonesia have any specific policies on the continent?
When we talk about North America and Western Europe, we are talking about traditional markets where our trade is growing, but it isn't that fast. Meanwhile, in Africa, Eastern Europe and Latin America, we are seeing pretty fast growth.
Africa is actually already on our foreign policy map, in the context of potential, untapped markets. All our ministries here should have Africa on their agendas.
When we realize that we have untapped markets in Africa, considering the excellent trade growth with the region, and then ministries, institutions and private sector players don't follow through on that, then it would be wasted.
One of the conference's expected outcomes is the declaration of support for Palestine. However, considering the countries that do not recognize the Palestinian state, how will this come about?
We will keep approaching these countries to support the independence of Palestine and at the same time give examples on how to help them. For one, Indonesia has collaborated on technical cooperation and capacity-building with Palestine and has mentioned to them in the process, 'You can count on Indonesia'.
This is what I mean about leadership; not only rallying for support but also setting an example of it. Some countries only call and rally but don't set any examples.
