Amid signs of a thaw in trade tensions between the United States and China, after their leaders met in Busan on Thursday on the sidelines of the summit, experts say Indonesia has an opportunity to advance its interests and promote a fairer trade system for developing countries.

Global attention has turned to the southeastern city of Gyeongju this week as dozens of world leaders, representing more than half of the gross world product (GWP) and around 40 percent of the world population, gather to discuss key economic issues in the Asia-Pacific over a series of meetings from Friday to Saturday.

Pressure is on this year for APEC’s annual gathering, traditionally aimed at promoting free trade and multilateralism, as a protectionist wave and growing securitization of economic policies continue to jeopardize regional growth and cooperation.

During the summit, Prabowo will likely emphasize strengthening the multilateral world order and related institutions, intensifying regional economic cooperation and advancing new technologies, according to Foreign Minister Sugiono.

“I believe [the President’s] message will revolve around the relationship between Asia-Pacific nations, especially as a multilateral grouping. Strengthening economic cooperation will also be discussed, including in specific sectors that we think could use improvements,” Sugiono said on Tuesday, on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur.

“Messages of peace will also be delivered in response to conflicts and other ongoing geopolitical situations,” the minister added.

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