Indonesia continues to take role on global leadership. After successfully holding the role as the president of G20 in 2022, Indonesia is now taking the position as the chairman of Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN). After successful reign as the president of G20, the expectation will be quite high for Indonesia to lead the club of the South-East Asian.
After receiving the hammer from previous Chairman, Cambodia, in Phnom Penh, President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo stated, “Indonesia is honored to be the Chair of ASEAN in 2023. The chairmanship of Indonesia will adopt the theme ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth”.
He expected that ASEAN to become a fast-growing, inclusive, and sustainable economic region. Furthermore, ASEAN must be a stable and peaceful region and become an anchor for global stability as well as enforce international law consistently and remain neutral.
Despite the big ambitions and hope for success, Indonesia faces many challenges in leading the association. First of all is Myanmar situation. The crisis will likely steal most of the spotlight throughout ASEAN’s 2023 political-security agenda. Thus, regional stability can be alternative achievable objective.
Uncoincidentally, Indonesia’s G20 presidency and ASEAN Chairmanship are processing alongside the ongoing conflict, both in Myanmar and in Europe. The geo-political situation also leads the world economy into recession.
The ASEAN region was among the fastest-growing regions in 2022 and is expected to remain so in 2023. Yet, economic growth will be slightly dampened this year due to worsening global economic conditions and the risk of recession in major developed economies. The two issues might test Indonesia’s leadership as the chairman of ASEAN in 2023.
By: Putu Radar Bahurekso
