Among ASEAN’s most intractable problems are the continuing military crisis in Myanmar, which has eaten away at perceptions of the group’s integrity over the past two years, and the regional fallout of the geopolitical rivalry between the United States and China.

Under its chairmanship theme “ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth”, Indonesia prioritized questions of economic development, including during the high-level meetings this week.

A total of 24 documents were published throughout the week, consisting mostly of joint statements and overviews of economic cooperation efforts and goals for the rest of the year. Indonesia has three months of de facto ASEAN leadership left.

At the launch of the ASEAN Indo-Pacific Forum (AIPF) this week, President Joko “Jokowi” welcomed 93 fresh projects valued at around US$38.2 billion and heralded new ASEAN frameworks on the blue economy, digital economy and electric vehicle industry.

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The strong emphasis on the economy, however, has drawn a mixture of praise and criticism, with observers commending the development efforts but accusing Indonesia of neglecting the wider geopolitical prerequisites for economic security.

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