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ASEAN remains focused on economy
Critics are concerned that the focus on regional economic development and cooperation may undermine efforts to solve ongoing regional security issues, such as the Myanmar coup and tensions in the South China Sea.
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From left to right: Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo, Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai, Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, Ambassador Johariah Wahab of Brunei Darussalam, Laotian Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith, Malaysian Foreign Minister Zambry Abdul Kadir, East Timorese Foreign Minister Bendito Freitas and ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn pose for a group photo during the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference with the United States at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Jakarta on July 14, 2023. (Reuters/Dita Alangkara/Pool)
Indonesia remained adamant on prioritizing economic development and cooperation during the ASEAN high-level meetings this week in tune with its chairmanship theme of “epicentrum of growth”, but critics say the focus on the economy could undermine progress on regional security issues.
The focus on the economy was evident in President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s remarks to foreign ministers of ASEAN members and partners during a courtesy visit in Jakarta on Friday.
Jokowi told the ministers of his economy-foremost approach to the region and the theme of Indonesia’s chairmanship, ASEAN as an epicenter of growth, that underscores the bloc’s convening power, which could be undermined by zero-sum thinking and one-upmanship.
He used the Javanese saying of “menang tanpa ngasorake” (winning without demeaning others) to call on all parties to become dignified winners together.
“ASEAN countries are developing countries that require the understanding, wisdom and support of advanced nations and partner countries to leave behind the zero-sum approach and seek win-win solutions,” he said.
Read also: Jokowi tells ASEAN partners to strive for win-win outcomes
