Each ASEAN member country continues to fill The ASEAN Chair position alternately for one year. Interestingly, the turn is based on the alphabetical order of the country's name in English. The 2022 Chair of ASEAN was held by Cambodia (Cambodia), and this time, Indonesia holds the 2023 Chair of ASEAN.

Indonesia takes on its duties as Chair of ASEAN for one year, from January 1 to December 31, 2023. Previously, Indonesia had served as Chair of ASEAN for four times; in 1976, 1996, 2003, and 2011.

This year, Indonesia's chairmanship in ASEAN has the theme "ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth." The background for choosing this theme cannot be separated from the challenges of an increasingly complex world. As a result, the centralization of ASEAN is increasingly being questioned: can it be maintained or vice versa?

From this theme, Indonesia will continue to strive to strengthen ASEAN's position as a stable and peaceful region and become an area that has sustainable economic growth.

The Meaning of ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth

Two major elements are behind the theme "ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth". The first is "ASEAN Matters", and the second is the "Epicentrum of Growth".

The "ASEAN Matters" pillar describes Indonesia's efforts to keep ASEAN relevant. In other words, preparing ASEAN to continue to face various challenges and be the motor of regional stability and peace.

The pillar has three important elements: strengthening the capacity and effectiveness of ASEAN, ASEAN unity, and ASEAN centrality.

Meanwhile, the "Epicentrum of Growth" pillar shows Indonesia's focus on strengthening concrete cooperation and holding various collaborations. The intention behind this is to enable countries in Southeast Asia to remain centers of economic growth with the potential to surpass global economic growth.

The "Epicentrum of Growth" pillar continuously encourages four important elements: health architecture, energy security, food security, and financial stability.

It is hoped that the selection of "ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth" at the 2023 Indonesian Chair can strengthen ASEAN as a fast-growing, inclusive, and sustainable economic region to answer the challenges of the next 20 years.

In addition, selecting the theme "ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth" has also become Indonesia's determination toward the vision of ASEAN 2045: more adaptive, responsive, and competitive. Thus, it can benefit the wider community internally within the country and externally to the world.

Photo: Shutterstock/Nuzul Azwir