The next eight days are going to be a busy time for Southeast Asia, with Cambodia hosting the ASEAN Summit and East Asia Summit, Indonesia the Group of 20 Summit and Thailand the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, all back to back.

In a bid to continue conversations on international cooperation, Indonesia plans to beat the drum of its G20 agenda at the subsequent APEC Summit, which experts say could offer valuable opportunities to influence trade, energy and digital transformation policies, even as new initiatives seek to shift the world’s focus toward the Indo-Pacific region.

Indonesia has said its top priorities for the G20 are developing more inclusive global health systems and advancing both the world’s digital transformation and the transition to sustainable energy.

Similarly, APEC chair Thailand has adopted the theme “Open, Connect, Balance” this year. Much of the focus has been placed on integrating environmental sustainability with future economic goals, as well as reinvigorating the travel, tourism and services sectors, two years after COVID-19 first swept through the world.

“This is Thailand’s year, so the three issues of the theme will be the ones to focus on. [...] Indonesia shares the same aspirations as Thailand, although we will still want to push our agenda from the G20,” said Witjaksono Adji, the Foreign Ministry’s director for Asia-Pacific cooperation, in an interview with The Jakarta Post earlier this month.

Jakarta will also support negotiations on resuming cross-border travel and cooperation between creative industries across the Asia-Pacific region, Witjaksono said.

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo is scheduled to attend the APEC Summit on Nov. 17, after concluding the G20 Summit in Bali.

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