Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo believes that ASEAN has great potential to become the epicentrum of growth both in terms of a big number of people with productive ages and abundant natural wealth.

Jakart (Indonesia Window) – Indonesia as the chair of ASEAN in 2023 emphasizes ASEAN's commitment to continue strengthening unity and solidity, and enhancing ASEAN's centrality in maintaining peace and stability in the region, Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo has said.

President Widodo made the remarks while receiving a courtesy call of foreign ministers from ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and partner countries at the Sangri-La Hotel, Central Jakarta, Friday, the Indonesian Cabinet Secretariat said in a written statement as quoted by Indonesia Window.

"ASEAN must not become a competition arena, must not be a proxy for any country, and international law must be consistently respected," the president stated, while expecting real cooperation and supports from ASEAN partners and guests.

He believes that ASEAN has great potential to become the epicentrum of growth, both in terms of a big number of people with productive ages and abundant natural wealth.

"We, ASEAN countries which are developing countries need understanding. We need wisdom and also need supports, both from developed countries and friendly countries to leave the zero-sum approach and take a win-win approach," he said.

The head of state emphasized that the chairmanship in ASEAN would be used to increase the contribution of this association of Southeast Asian nations to the glory of the Indo-Pacific and the world.

“There is a proverb in Indonesia, saying ‘to win without defeating, which means we can be victorious without demeaning others, without defeating others. For that, I invite all of us to be honorable winners, to win without beating," he explained.

ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) is a regional organization that facilitates the cooperation of 10 countries in Southeast Asia.

ASEAN member countries are Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia.

ASEAN was established on August 8, 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand, by five founding countries, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand through the signing of the Bangkok Declaration.

Reporting by Indonesia Window