Jakarta –

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

“Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific context can be used as a launching project between ASEAN and Canada,” Jokowi said during a speech at the ASEAN-Canada Memorial Summit at Sokha Hotel, Phnom Penh, on Saturday, November 12, 2022, which was conveyed by a written statement from the President’s Press, Media and Information Secretariat Office, on Sunday (11/13/2022).

The summit was attended by ASEAN leaders and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. According to Jokowi, security issues in the Indo-Pacific region are of course 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, achieving 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 has been invited to participate in the event.

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

Jokowi said that amidst a world that is not conducive, it is important to fill it with practical and mutually beneficial cooperation.
Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud Md, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and Minister Secretary of State Pratikno were also present to accompany President Jokowi to the ASEAN- United States.

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