REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said that ASEAN is predicted to become a global economic power and rank fourth in the world by 2040. With a population of more than 650 million people most of whom are young workforces with high technological literacy, Jokowi stressed the importance of Australia's support to maximise that potential.

This was stated by Jokowi during a speech at the plenary session of the ASEAN-Australia Special High Level Conference (Summit) at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Center, Melbourne, Australia, on Wednesday (6/3/2023). Therefore, Jokowi pushed for strengthening economic cooperation between the two sides.

The way is, by strengthening economic integration, one of them is through Australia's Southeast Asia Economic Strategy 2040 to encourage Australian investment in Southeast Asia. Jokowi hopes Australia can open up even wider investment opportunities from ASEAN to Australia.

“We also need to optimize some cooperation such as the RCEP ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand FTA and AOIP (ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific). I appreciate PM Albanese's attendance at last year's AOIP in Jakarta and I hope Australia's commitment in AIPF worth $28.1 billion can be realized soon,” Jokowi said, quoted from the Presidential Secretariat press release.

In addition, Jokowi also highlighted the importance of Australia's investment and support in ASEAN in dealing with climate change and cooperation in the digital economy. According to him, Australia's support is needed, particularly in the form of investment, ease of access to innovative financing, and technology transfer.

“I also encourage Australian businesses to support the development of the ASEAN EV ecosystem such as Australian nickel company Nickel Industries, which has invested in Morowali, Sulawesi. Indonesia opposes black and discriminatory campaigns that use environmental pretexts that are not based on scientific evidence,” Jokowi said.

Regarding digital transformation cooperation, Jokowi appreciated the start of the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement negotiations last year. Jokowi also hopes Australia can provide support through the development of skills and knowledge, as well as strong public-private partnerships.

Jokowi reminded that ASEAN and Australia share a common future and must be the driving force to create a stable, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. “ASEAN and Australia are great partners for now and the future,” he said.

Therefore, he stressed the importance of cooperation between ASEAN and Australia in commemoration of 50 years of partnership relations. Jokowi said that ASEAN and Australia share a common responsibility to maintain stability, peace and prosperity in the region.

“As the oldest speaking partner, strategic comprehensive partner and liaison partner with the Pacific region, ASEAN and Australia both share a region where stability, peace and prosperity are our common goals and responsibilities,” Jokowi said.

Accompanying the President in the plenary session of the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit were Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, and Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono.