Jakarta, 4 September 2023 – ASEAN is one of the fastest-growing regions in the world, with growing markets and productive populations. For that reason, Indonesia has a vision to encourage sustainable regional development through the ASEAN-Indo-Pacific Forum (AIPF).
"Indonesia has a vision to encourage sustainable regional development through the ASEAN-Indo-Pacific Forum (AIPF). The AIPF will invite public, private, and global sector participation in various projects in the region that support green infrastructure and a resilient supply chain, digital transformation and the creative economy, as well as innovative and sustainable financing," said the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, Sunday (3 September 2023).
He added that ASEAN cooperation extends beyond the public sector efforts. Inclusive and collaborative efforts from the private sector in various ASEAN agendas and initiatives are also crucial.
Situated in the heart of the Indo-Pacific, ASEAN is poised to become a hub of economic activity in the coming decades. The ASEAN economy has shown positive performance over the last decade, growing between 4%-5% on average. The ASEAN region is the fifth largest economy and the fourth largest exporter in the globe. In 2022, it will become the second-largest Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) destination.
"The ASEAN economy achieved a growth rate of 5.7% in 2022, driven by high levels of domestic consumption, trade, and investment. Last year, industries, such as electronics, electric vehicles, and the digital economy, experienced an increase in investment, with total FDI inflows increasing by 5.5%," said Airlangga.
The AIPF is a manifestation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) adopted by ASEAN member countries in 2019. AOIP is an initiative that aims to strengthen the ASEAN-centred regional architecture to bolster and provide momentum to confront challenges and seize regional and global opportunities. With AOIP, it is anticipated that it will be able to encourage dialogue and cooperation instead of rivalry between Indo-Pacific countries in order to promote mutual progress and prosperity.
In this context, and in line with the ASEAN 2023 theme: “ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth”, the Indonesian Government will hold the flagship event the ASEAN-Indo-Pacific Forum (AIPF): Implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific at the Mulia Hotel, Jakarta on 5—6 September 2023.
As a flagship event integral to the 43rd ASEAN Summit, the opening of AIPF will be attended by President Joko Widodo and the leaders of ASEAN member states.
"This two-day event will also be attended by leaders and representatives from international financial bodies and international organizations," said the Deputy Foreign Minister of the Republic of Indonesia, at the Road to ASEAN Summit 2023, on Friday (18 September 2023).
AIPF aims to strengthen cooperation and connectivity between ASEAN countries and partners in the Indo-Pacific region, making ASEAN the epicentrum of growth.
Three priority issues of mutual interest, namely green infrastructure and a resilient supply chain, digital transformation and the creative economy, and sustainable and innovative financing, will be the main themes in project discussions and exhibitions.
During the event, there will be addresses from heads of state, panel discussions, and talk shows with company/industry leaders, project exhibitions, and business matching. AIPF invited government and private sector leaders, representatives from international financial institutions (IFIs), and international organizations.
The ASEAN and Indo-Pacific regions must seize this important opportunity to unite and chart the direction of cooperation and future growth.
SOEs Minister Erick Thohir, as the person in charge of side events at Indonesia's 2023 ASEAN Chairmanship, stated that the Indonesian Government was making preparations for hosting the AIPF as well as possible.
"AIPF is Indonesia's initiative as 2023 ASEAN Chair serving as a platform for the private and public sectors, including SOEs, from ASEAN and partners in the Indo-Pacific Region to discuss and produce inclusive, collaborative, and concrete business cooperation," said Erick.
A number of organizational and company leaders who will be speakers and panelists are from the World Economic Forum, ASEAN-BAC and Indonesian Chamber of Commerce, Maybank, Airbus, Aspen Medical, Forest Carbon Microsoft, Business Council Canada, European Investment Bank, Institute of Public & Environmental Affairs, BP, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, US Trade and Development Agency, Loca Laos, Aruna, and Fairatmos.
Eight SOEs that will be involved in the series of events are BRI, Pertamina, PLN, Bank Mandiri, BNI, MIND ID, Telkom Indonesia, and InJourney. The Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), Standard Chartered, Google, Sun Cable, and the British Chamber of Commerce, will also be actively involved in the AIPF’s series of events.
"AIPF also brings momentum to demonstrate the strategic role of SOEs, and expand investment cooperation in SOE strategic projects for the progress of Indonesia and bolster ASEAN's position as a centre of economic growth," said the SOEs Minister.
***
For further information, please contact:
Director General of Public Information and Communication, Ministry of Communication and Informatics – Usman Kansong (0816785320).
Find more information at http://asean2023.id, https://infopublik.id/kategori/asean-2023, and https://indonesia.go.id/kategori/ragam-asean-2023
Photo caption: Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto delivers a statement after the 23rd ASEAN Economic Community Council (AECC) Ministerial Meeting, Saturday (2 September 2023) in Jakarta. Photo:Ismadi/Infopublik