TRIBUNNEWS.COM – The partnership between ASEAN and Canada is entering its 45th year, but so far it is still under the dialogue partners mechanism. In order to increase the ASEAN-Canada partnership to become a strategic partnership, it is necessary to formulate the substance by presenting more concrete cooperation.

This was conveyed by President Joko Widodo who was accompanied by Coordinating Minister of Economy Airlangga Hartarto during the ASEAN-Canada Memorial Summit held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on Saturday (12/11/2022).

“Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific context can be used as one of the launch projects between ASEAN and Canada,” President Jokowi said at the summit attended by ASEAN leaders and the prime minister. Canadian Justin Trudeau.

According President Joko Widodosecurity issues in the Indo-Pacific region are 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, achievement of the SDGs and investment trade. Canada can concretely become a partner in the ASEAN in the implementation of AOIP,” he said. President Joko Widodo.

On this occasion, President Joko Widodo also invited Canada to participate in the Indo-Pacific Infrastructure Forum to be held next year in Indonesia’s ASEAN Chair in 2023.

“Indonesia invites Canada to participate in the forum,” he said. President Joko Widodo.

Moreover, on this occasion President Joko Widodo also said that in the midst of a world that is not conducive, it is even more important to fill it with mutually beneficial practical cooperation.

Also present to accompany President Joko Widodo at the ASEAN-Canada Memorial Summit, namely Coordinating Minister for Politics, Law and Security Mahfud MD, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi and Minister of Secretary of State Pratikno .