18-10-2023 (JAKARTA) During the 43rd ASEAN Summit held in Jakarta from September 5 to 7, 2023, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi, outlined the four primary principles that will drive Indonesia’s chairmanship of the bloc this year.
First and foremost is the establishment of a long-term vision for the region. Indonesia emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive and forward-looking vision to ensure the sustainability and guidance of ASEAN in the future.
The second priority is enhancing the resilience of ASEAN member countries in the face of contemporary challenges. Strengthening resilience is seen as crucial for the collective ability of ASEAN nations to navigate and overcome the complexities of the present era.
Promoting ASEAN as the epicenter of growth forms the third pillar of Indonesia’s chairmanship. Under the theme “ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth,” Indonesia places particular emphasis on bolstering food security as a key element of regional development.
Lastly, Indonesia aims to foster a safe and peaceful Indo-Pacific region. To achieve this goal, Indonesia plans to lead ASEAN member countries in promoting the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) among ASEAN partners during the upcoming summit.
Marsudi’s statement on these four guiding principles of Indonesia’s ASEAN chairmanship reflects the values enshrined in Pancasila, the philosophical foundation of the Indonesian nation.
The minister highlights the importance of establishing a long-term vision for ASEAN, as well as strengthening the resilience of the bloc. These priorities not only ensure ASEAN’s sustainability and provide guidance for the future, but also emphasize the significance of mutual cooperation and collaboration within the framework of long-term multilateralism.
Since its establishment on August 8, 1967, ASEAN has endured due to its commitment to regional cooperation and respect for the sovereignty of each member country. Cooperation within ASEAN is guided by genuine nationalism, where countries in Southeast Asia prioritize long-term benefits and resist being swayed by momentary emotions. This cooperation extends not only to ASEAN member countries but also to ASEAN’s partner nations.
Hence, the first and second priorities reflect Indonesia’s efforts to revive the values of deliberation, dialogue, and mutual cooperation in its diplomatic interactions with the international community. These values were introduced by President Soekarno, also known as Bung Karno, during his speech titled “To Build the World Anew” at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 30, 1960.
Soekarno advocated for the reconstruction of the world in conjunction with the independence of Asia-Africa nations, opposing colonialism and imperialism. He called for the world to be rebuilt based on Pancasila and adopted as an international ideology.
Soekarno argued that every country should adopt Pancasila as its state ideology, emphasizing that Pancasila’s values are not only national but also universal and international. He highlighted the universal values of belief in God Almighty, humanity, nationalism, democracy, and social justice. Soekarno asserted that nationalism is embraced by all modern countries.
The third priority, promoting ASEAN as a center of economic growth, aligns with the principles of humanity, social justice, and economic stimulation. The envisioned epicenter of growth in ASEAN aims to encompass social equality, a resilient economy, and balanced planning in each member country to ensure social justice.
The fourth priority, making the Indo-Pacific region safe and peaceful, is closely intertwined with the win-win paradigm based on the concept of internationalism rooted in nationalism. Bung Karno stated during the founding of Pancasila on June 1, 1945, that “internationalism cannot prosper if it is not rooted in the earth of nationalism, and nationalism is not prosperous if it does not live in the garden of internationalism.”
Therefore, ASEAN nations must engage in active dialogue and seek compromise to address differing perspectives. ASEAN is guided by an inclusive regional architecture, which serves as a core value for navigating forward. Through the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, ASEAN urges countries to build trust through concrete cooperation.
Ultimately, the acceptance of Indonesia’s four leadership priorities within ASEAN demonstrates that Indonesia’s leadership is recognized not only within the Southeast Asian region but also worldwide.
As President Joko Widodo stated during the commemoration of the founding of Pancasila on June 1, 2023, in Jakarta, “The Pancasila ideology has earned Indonesia global recognition and acceptance in leadership. The successful implementation of the G20 presidency and the ASEAN chairmanship this year are clear evidence that Pancasila is not only significant for Indonesia but also highly relevant to the world.”
