Jakarta –

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) encourage the transformation of the ASEAN-Canada partnership into a strategic partnership. One way to achieve this is to present a more concrete cooperation.

“Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific context can be used as one of the launch projects between ASEAN and Canada,” Jokowi said during a speech at the ASEAN-Canada Memorial Summit at Sokha Hotel, Phnom Penh, Saturday, November 12, 2022. which was delivered in a written statement from the Press, Media and Information Office of the Presidential Secretariat, Sunday (13/11/2022).

The summit was attended by ASEAN leaders and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. According to Jokowi, security issues in the Indo-Pacific region are certainly very important, but economic and development issues are no less so.

“The ASEAN Indo-Pacific Outlook (AOIP) has four priorities for cooperation, namely connectivity, maritime transport, achievement of the SDGs and investment trade. Canada can concretely become ASEAN’s partner in the implementation of the AOIP,” said the President.

Next year, Indonesia will take over the chairmanship of ASEAN and Indonesia will host the Indo-Pacific Infrastructure Forum. Canada is invited to participate in the event.

“Indonesia invites Canada to participate in the forum,” Jokowi said.

Jokowi said that in the midst of an unfavorable world, it is important to fill it with concrete and mutually beneficial cooperation.
Also present to accompany President Jokowi to the ASEAN-US Summit were Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud Md, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and Minister of State Secretary Pratikno.

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