Jakarta, 5 September 2023 – Today marks a significant milestone in the implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, as the ASEAN-Indo-Pacific Forum (AIPF) unfolds at the Mulia Hotel, Jakarta. This flagship event is organized by Indonesia as part of its ASEAN Chairmanship in 2023.
The opening ceremony of the forum was attended by ASEAN Leaders. In the keynote address, President Joko Widodo of the Republic of Indonesia announced a list of projects between and among ASEAN Member States and Dialogue Partners, amounting to USD 56 Billion out of 166 projects.
AIPF aims to build stronger connectivity, unlock opportunities, and foster win-win collaboration between countries of ASEAN and the Indo-Pacific. “AIPF is based on the spirit of cooperation that is forward-looking, and seeks to put a strong foundation for our future economic growth. Amidst global economic downturn, ASEAN economies remain resilient, even surpassing average global growth.” remarks the President.
The inaugural AIPF envisions ASEAN as the ‘Epicentrum of Growth’. Home to some of the world's fastest-growing economies, ASEAN's strategic location at the heart of the Indo-Pacific positions it as a key player in the region's economic growth and development.
The opening ceremony was followed by a panel by the President of World Bank, Managing Director of IMF, Chairman of the World Economic Forum, and President of ERIA. The panel was moderated by Chatib Basri – Indonesia’s Minister of Finance from 2013 to 2014. The panelists discussed how ASEAN managed to outperform other regions in the past few years, ways to maintain its economic growth, and how it must anticipate future challenges.
“ASEAN delivers 10% of global growth, which is twice your share in the global economy – to sustain that, ASEAN needs macroeconomic and financial stability. We also have to collectively seek how ASEAN can be resilient in a more shock-prone world, to think the unthinkable.” explained Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of IMF.
The second panel consists of the CSO of Standard Chartered, CEO of Thales Group, President of Microsoft Asia, COO of Masdar, CEO of Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI), and moderated by the Chair of UK-ASEAN Business Council.
The panelists discussed the three subthemes of AIPF and concrete projects they have been working on in ASEAN countries. BRI primarily discussed sustainable financing for MSMEs, while Standard Chartered discussed innovative project structure in tapping new industries. Thales and Microsoft elaborated their projects related to and sustainable-yet cutting edge technologies, and Masdar discussed its green projects, which includes Floating Solar PV in Cirata, Cianjur, the largest floating solar panel in the region.
More than 2.500 people have been registered to attend the forum, the vast majority are coming from the private sector, ranging from global CEOs to experts in their respective field. The 2-day forum encompasses a series of engaging sessions, featuring leaders' talks, plenary discussions, project showcases, and business matchmaking opportunities.
ASEAN Leaders have agreed to also incorporate reference to the forum as well as the list of concrete projects as a part of ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration and the historic ASEAN Concord IV. President Joko Widodo closed his keynote address by elaborating that AIPF represents ASEAN’s commitment to make the Indo-Pacific a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region.
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For further information, please contact the following:
Director for Information and Media at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Hartyo Harkomoyo (0811831899)
Get more information at http://asean2023.id, https://infopublik.id/kategori/asean-2023, and https://indonesia.go.id/kategori/ragam-asean-2023
Photo caption: President Joko Widodo delivers welcominh speech during the opening of the ASEAN Indo-Pacific Forum (AIPF) in Jakarta, Tuesday (5/9/2023). Media Center of ASEAN Summit 2023/Dhoni Setiawan/aww/ratih