Takeaways from the 2023 ASEAN Foreign Ministers Retreat

Pham Duy Thuc

1. Indonesia illustrates the vision of a “big brother” in ASEAN, undertaking responsibilities, aiming to fulfill its 2023 chairman duties while laying the groundwork for the 2045 vision of ASEAN. 

2. Indonesia attaches the development of ASEAN as one of its national goals. The country’s 2045 vision is to become a developed country when the republic commemorates 100 years of its independence.

3. Indonesia enhances ASEAN’s institutional capacity and effectiveness, especially through implementing the ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific (AOIP), the Five Points Consensus on Myanmar, and ASEAN’s ability to navigate great power strategic competition. 

4. Indonesia attaches great importance to maritime security. The country promotes the implementation of ASEAN’s Maritime Vision, and adaptively hosts COC negotiations, despite not being the operator for the relations between ASEAN and China (due to Myanmar’s domestic crisis, the country is incapable of being the Coordinator for the ASEAN-China relations).

5. Although Indonesia’s 2023 ASEAN chairmanship will face numerous obstacles and its goals are rather ambitious, the country has shown its high credibility as an ASEAN leader. Regional support from countries, both internally and externally, can come into its favor.

Link to the original article: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=632070732257487&set=a.516126120518616

Translated by Nguyen Tien Dat. Photo: ASEAN.