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Expert: ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo Shows Indonesia's Economic Equity

Surabaya, Kominfo Newsroom – Gadjah Mada University International Relations expert Randy Wirasta Nandyatama, Ph.D., said the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara on May 9-11, 2023 shows Indonesia's economic equity.

"The ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara, shows Indonesia is not only Jakarta and Bali. In addition, it shows that Indonesia's economy is distributed evenly," said Randy in Surabaya on Sunday, April 16, 2023.

He also supported the ASEAN Summit organization. However, another thing that needs to be encouraged is meetings with non-government representatives.

"Previously, when Indonesia became chairman or a democratic country like Malaysia and Thailand before the military junta, there were meetings with non-governmental representatives," he said.

"I also support the ASEAN leaders meeting with ASEAN youth. If possible, meet the wider community, not only community as a symbol of a place," he added.

At the 42nd ASEAN Summit, Randy saw that one of ASEAN's biggest challenges was its exclusive character. "While Indonesia is the chairman, it is important to rebuild or revitalize mechanisms for involving non-state actors," he said.

He is optimistic that Indonesia can do it. It is because several times as Chair of ASEAN, to this day, Indonesia was able to propose a concept used by ASEAN.

"When Indonesia became chairman, Indonesia built several important elements. In 1976 Indonesia proposed the existence of a Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia. That greatly affected the governance of ASEAN," he said.

Likewise, in the Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2003, Indonesia pushed for the concept of the ASEAN Community. "That is the forerunner of ASEAN. There are three pillars, not just foreign policy matters. Since 2003, ASEAN has become wider," he said. (Willi Irawan/Untung S/Vira)

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Photo: Parade participants in the 2023 ASEAN Indonesia Chairmanship Kick-Off event at the HI Roundabout, Jakarta, Sunday, January 29, 2023. The kick-off marks the start of Indonesia as Chair of ASEAN 2023. (Infopublik/Amiriyandi)