Indonesia takes over ASEAN chair, calls for inclusive cooperation

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Indonesia takes over ASEAN chair, calls for inclusive cooperation

A woman poses with the newly set up logo of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations ASEAN as Indonesia officially takes over the group's chairmanship after a ceremony in Jakarta on January 29, 2023. PHOTO AFP JAKARTA - As the 2023 ASEAN chair, Indonesia wants to push for more concrete and inclusive cooperation among countries in the region, said Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi on Monday.

We want to show the world that ASEAN is important for all regions and countries in the world. Besides, we should be confident that the economy in Southeast Asia will still be more stable and grow faster than the global economy, according to a hearing with the country's parliament in Jakarta on Monday.

During the ASEAN chairmanship, Indonesia would hold a flagship event that would discuss the creative economy, digital economy, sustainable development goals, infrastructure development, as well as inclusive business and investment.

Marsudi said that the ASEAN should uphold the principle of development inclusiveness so that no country would feel excluded or left behind because of the insecurity that can cause or maintain rivalry between countries in the region.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo kicked off the country's 2023 ASEAN chairmanship on Sunday, with the theme of ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth Widodo suggested that Indonesia, as Southeast Asia's largest economy, should foster initiatives and concrete steps to solve regional problems and lead member states to contribute to the world amid the current challenging situation.

Economic growth, peace and stability in the region will be maintained by the ASEAN, Widodo said.