JAKARTA: President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) stated that three fields of cooperation, including energy transition in the region, can become the focus of the ASEAN Caucus in the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC), reported ANTARA News Agency.
At the ABAC ASEAN Caucus Day in San Francisco, the United States, on Wednesday, Jokowi noted that the first focus is energy transition acceleration, among others, regarding ASEAN’s agreement to become a global hub for the electric vehicle industry.
“The ASEAN Caucus can become an important part of strengthening this initiative,“ he noted in a statement from the Press Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat received on Thursday.
Jokowi remarked that energy transition requires investment and technology support, wherein the Indo-Pacific Impact Fund initiative can have a significant role.
Moreover, the other focus that is deemed important is the achievement of carbon neutrality.
He remarked that the economy must continue to grow in line with ASEAN’s commitment to preserving the environment.
According to Jokowi, the ASEAN has agreed on a strategy for carbon neutrality.
Furthermore, he stated that Indonesia is targetting to achieve net zero emissions by 2060. He emphasised that the target can be achieved through concrete cooperation, especially in the government and business sectors that the ASEAN Caucus can bridge.
He also encouraged the active role of the ASEAN Caucus in supporting ASEAN’s commitment to accelerate the implementation of cross-border digital payments through cooperation between financial institutions.
“I am sure the ASEAN Caucus can play a role in this initiative,“ he remarked.
The president welcomed the establishment of the ASEAN Caucus to strengthen ASEAN’s centrality in the ABAC.
Through the ASEAN Caucus, the government-business partnership is expected to become stronger.
He also emphasised that ASEAN is one of the strategic regions with strong capital to become a centre of global growth.
The ASEAN has several strengths that become important assets, such as economic growth above the world average and a large young population.
Furthermore, he noted that the maintained regional stability is also a strength for ASEAN.
“This is an important asset that allows ASEAN’s voice to be heard more loudly in various forums, including APEC,“ he remarked.–Bernama-ANTARA
