Indonesian President Joko Widodo, also known as Jokowi, chaired the Retreat session of the 42nd ASEAN Summit on the second day of the Summit. The meeting, which took place on May 11, 2023, at the Meruorah Hotel in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara, discussed two significant issues: the review of the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus in Myanmar and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP).
The President stressed the importance of ASEAN unity to decide on the next steps regarding the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus in Myanmar. He stated that there had not been significant progress, and dialogue and an end to violence were needed. Indonesia continues to facilitate humanitarian assistance for the people in Myanmar and calls for inclusive dialogue and the cessation of violence.
President Jokowi expressed hope that the Myanmar issue would not hinder the acceleration of ASEAN community development, as community building is awaited by the ASEAN people. He urged the relevant parties to take concrete steps towards inclusive cooperation to reduce tensions in the Indo-Pacific.
The ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) aims to promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region through the principles of respect for international law, openness, transparency, inclusivity, and a rules-based approach. The President emphasized the need for concrete and inclusive cooperation to achieve these goals.
The retreat session was attended by ASEAN leaders, including Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. The summit aims to strengthen ASEAN’s cooperation and enhance its role as a regional player in promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the region.
