WNAM REPORT: Trade Minister Budi Santoso said that Indonesia is advocating for unity and stronger regional economic integration at the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
“One of the messages conveyed by Indonesia at the Summit was that ASEAN centrality and unity serve as the foundation for addressing geopolitical shifts and rising protectionism,” he stated in a press release on Monday.
Santoso, who accompanied President Prabowo Subianto at the Summit, noted that Indonesia emphasized the importance of maintaining ASEAN unity and centrality amid increasingly complex global geopolitical and economic dynamics.
He added that Indonesia also called for closer collaboration among member states to strengthen regional economic integration.
“Indonesia underscored ASEAN’s key role in ensuring the welfare of its people amid various global challenges,” the minister continued.
According to him, stability among ASEAN member countries must be maintained as a driving force for regional economic growth.
Santoso then addressed that ASEAN must deepen intra-regional trade, boost investment, and ensure that the benefits of economic integration are felt equally by the people and businesses of all member countries.
Also accompanying President Prabowo at the Summit were Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Djamari Chaniago and Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto.
Followed by Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno, Minister of Foreign Affairs Sugiono, Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya, and Minister of Investment Rosan Perkasa Roeslani.
In addition to the plenary session on Sunday, Minister Santoso also accompanied President Prabowo at several other meetings, including the ASEAN-United States Summit, the ASEAN-Japan Summit, and the ASEAN-India Summit.
“Indonesia remains committed to strengthening regional economic integration through inclusive, digital, and sustainable trade,” Santoso said.
“At the same time, ASEAN must ensure that every policy and agreement it adopts delivers tangible benefits for the welfare of its people,” he concluded.
The 47th ASEAN Summit was held from October 26 to 28 and was chaired by Malaysia under the theme “Forging a Resilient and Inclusive Future Together.”
