ASEAN leaders pose on stage during the opening ceremony of the 34th ASEAN Summit at the Athenee Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand. (Image credit: Reuters via Deccan Herald)

ASEAN Summit: All leaders concur Indonesia-led Outlook on Indo-Pacific concept

Faradita Prayusti
Politics & Economic
Politics
Jun 24, 2019
1573
All ASEAN leaders have approved to adopt the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific concept at 34th ASEAN Summit in Thailand.

Thailand Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said by adopting the outlook, ASEAN strengthen its leading role in terms of building relationships with external partners in the region.

Indonesia Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi said Indonesia was the initiator of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific as the President of Indonesia Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has emphasized the necessity for Southeast Asia countries to concern about the Indo-Pacific issue.

President Jokowi has introduced the Indo-Pacific concept since a year ago, according to the minister.

The outlook consists of five main points, first, the outlook’s background and reason, second, the outlook’s key elements, third, the purpose of the outlook, fourth, the principles within the outlook and fifth, the cooperation areas, added the minister.

ASEAN’s centrality and energy in appreciating peace and dialog culture as well as reinforcing cooperation will be reflected through the outlook.

ASEAN also has concerned about the issue of marine pollution and has agreed to adopt “Bangkok Declaration on Combatting Marine Debris in the ASEAN region” as the region’s commitment to take serious acts in tackling marine debris.

Enhancing the regional economy was also discussed by the leaders in order to help ASEAN in handling change and uncertainty in the region due to the trade war between the U.S and China.

The 34th ASEAN Summit was held on June 23 in Bangkok, Thailand. During the summit, ten leaders from Southeast Asia also discussed ASEAN’s proposal to host 2034 World Cup and the launching of the Satellite Warehouse which is under the Disaster Emergency Logistics System for ASEAN and the ASEAN Centre of Military Medicine.

Established in Bangkok, Thailand, on August 8, 1967, the current member of ASEAN are Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia.

Source: https://en.antaranews.com/news/127612/asean-leaders-agree-to-adopt-asean-outlook-on-indo-pacific

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