Indonesia Calls for ASEAN Solidarity at Economic Ministers' Meeting

ASEAN must demonstrate to the business community and the international world that this region remains open. Jakarta (ANTARA) - Trade Minister Budi Santoso emphasised that ASEAN must remain open and resilient amid rising global uncertainties due to geopolitical dynamics and global supply chain disruptions. During the Joint ASEAN Foreign and Economic Ministers Meeting (AMM-AEM Meeting) in Cebu, Philippines, on Wednesday (7/5), Budi stated that coordination between ASEAN’s economic and political pillars is key to ensuring the region can respond to various global shocks quickly, measurably, and collectively. “ASEAN needs to show the business community and the international world that this region remains open, resilient, and capable of maintaining trade stability and supply chains amid global geopolitical uncertainties,” Budi said in a statement in Jakarta on Friday. The meeting also discussed global and regional economic outlooks as well as the impact of the Middle East crisis on the ASEAN region. The meeting took place as part of the ASEAN Summit series. He conveyed that Indonesia is pushing for strengthened ASEAN cooperation on energy and food resilience as a strategic priority for the region. Such efforts are deemed important to sustain production, ensure supply security, and maintain the smooth flow of trade in essential goods. In addition, Indonesia also emphasised the importance of diversifying energy supply sources, strengthening early warning systems, and enhancing information exchange among ASEAN countries to anticipate potential future food and energy crises. In the forum, Indonesia also pushed for strengthening intra-ASEAN trade through the acceleration of ratification of the Second Protocol to the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA). This step is seen as important to bolster the region’s supply chain resilience amid increasing global economic fragmentation. Furthermore, Indonesia affirmed the importance of expanding ASEAN trade cooperation with strategic partners. This includes accelerating the conclusion of the ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA) and optimising the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Budi added that ASEAN’s response to various global challenges must be oriented towards the interests of the people. Therefore, protection for vulnerable groups such as farmers and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) needs to be a primary focus in every regional policy. “ASEAN must be able to build long-term solutions that not only strengthen regional resilience but also protect the people, especially farmers and MSMEs, from the impacts of global crises,” said Budi.