Indonesia hosted the 43rd ASEAN Summit from September 5 to 7 in Jakarta.
This summit carries the theme “ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth” and is attended by 22 countries, including 11 ASEAN member states: Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Timor-Leste.
Additionally, nine partner countries have been invited, including South Korea, India, Japan, China, New Zealand, Canada, Australia, Russia, and the United States (US).
An international relations observer from Universitas Gadjah Mada, Dr. Dafri Agussalim, believes that hosting the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta will allow Indonesia to demonstrate its leadership’s influence in international relations.
Indonesia’s position as the Chair of ASEAN is expected to facilitate offering solutions to conflicts in Myanmar and resolving disputes in the South China Sea with China.
It also aims to strengthen Indonesia’s bargaining position in global trade, particularly following a dispute with the European Union at the WTO regarding the nickel ore export ban policy.
“The ASEAN region is a competitive arena for major countries to vie for economic, political, and security influence. It’s no wonder that many countries outside of ASEAN are present for their interests,” said Dr. Agussalim on Thursday (September 7).
Although ASEAN is attractive to major countries, ASEAN has yet to be able to resolve conflicts within its regional boundaries. He cited the prolonged unresolved political disputes and human rights violations in Myanmar.
“ASEAN has reached a consensus for resolving the Myanmar conflict, but it has not been implemented effectively, not to mention the issue of the South China Sea dispute,” he said.
One of ASEAN’s weaknesses, according to Dr. Agussalim, is its inability to execute and implement every joint declaration and commitment made. The intervention of ASEAN member states in addressing internal issues within another member state is seen as violating the principles of ASEAN cooperation.
“Every declaration and joint statement result is not legally binding, making implementation challenging. As the Chair of ASEAN, Indonesia should address this weakness, ensuring that every ASEAN decision is based on law or norms that must be adhered to and followed collectively,” he noted.
On the 43rd ASEAN Summit, Dr. Agussalim believes it was pretty successful as it managed to attract the heads of state from major countries outside ASEAN, which have long been considered ASEAN’s strategic partners.
“We want to make the ASEAN region a center of global growth, and we aim to be a key player given our strategic position in the Indo-Pacific region,” he said.
Indonesia’s leadership in ASEAN can be an opportunity to strengthen cohesion and solidarity among ASEAN members to address various strategic issues, such as resolving the South China Sea dispute and internal conflicts among ASEAN member states.
Author: Gusti Grehenson
Photo: Cabinet Secretariat Documentation