REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi told Indonesia's success story as G20 President 2022 and ASEAN Chair 2023. That success is not easy to achieve, as Indonesia exercises its trust in the midst of a dynamic geopolitical situation.
During the G20 Presidency 2022, world stability and peace are put to the test with Russia's invasion of Ukraine from February 24, 2022. This complicates Russia's foreign relations with Western states.
“Not many expect that Indonesia will be able to complete the task of the G20 Presidency well. Because of the very difficult situation at the time. But, with all the capital we have, thank God we can finish the Presidency very well and can have a very high appreciation,” Retno said in a discussion at Media Center Indonesia Maju, quoted Saturday (6/1/2024).
After a full stint leading a forum of 20 of the world's largest economies, Indonesia will become ASEAN Chair 2023. The situation is also not easy, as Indonesia is charged with Myanmar's political crisis following the military junta's coup on February 1, 2021.
In addition, Indonesia also has the ambition to make ASEAN the center of growth of the world economy. The vision is not a mere thumbs-up, as Southeast Asia is the region that benefits most from energy transition policies. Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam are among the three countries with the world's largest reserves of nickel, which is the basic component for stringing together electric cars.
“In 2023 we will be the Chairman of ASEAN. The expectations of the world public for Indonesia's membership in ASEAN are very high. At the same time, we understand that in 2022 the world position is not good, and 2023 is not better. So I want to invite us to see, in the midst of a bad situation, we return to our responsibilities as Chairman of ASEAN,” Retno said.
“And the position of each country, especially the West with Russia and China, their position gap on many issues is huge. With all the assets we have and the support of many parties, Indonesia has succeeded in bringing ASEAN to a higher level, making ASEAN remains matters, making Southeast Asia the epicenter of growth,” said the Gadjah Mada University alumni.
Beyond that, Indonesia is also building the foundation of the ASEAN 2045 vision, to enhance the region's resilience. Under Indonesian sovereignty, the ASEAN Secretariat located in South Jakarta was later designated as ASEAN Headquarter.
“Discussions to prepare the ASEAN 2045 vision were first conducted under the auspices of Indonesia. This includes starting a green and blue economy discussion. The roadmap for full membership of East Timor has also been created, it remains to be implemented,” Retno revealed other achievements.
The former ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to the Netherlands and Norway then quoted a publication in The Straits Times as saying that Indonesia's bid for ASEAN Chair 2023 deserves appreciation.
“Indonesia's leadership is crucial to preventing the balkanization of ASEAN. Indonesia should get credit for that effort, for maintaining ASEAN amid a challenging geopolitical landscape,” Retno said, citing the views of one expert in the article.
Finally, Retno also stated that Indonesia's role on the global scene while refuting various speculations, saying that foreign policy under President Joko Widodo will be more domestically oriented.
“From all the data we have, the concern around Indonesia will be inward looking is completely unproven, even Indonesia's leadership is recognized by the world. Because when we lead, we also unite the differences that exist. The G20 and ASEAN really reflect that,” Retno concluded.
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