The Indonesian Ministry of Coordinating Economic Affairs leveraged its 2023 ASEAN chairmanship to drive economic growth in ASEAN countries, emphasizing both speed and equity. During the 44th Meeting of the High-Level Task Force on ASEAN Economic Integration and Related Meetings held in Lombok from July 29 to 31, 2023, Deputy of International Economic Cooperation Coordination at the Ministry of Coordinating Economic Affairs, Edi Prio Pambudi, expressed the hope of strengthening cooperation for tangible and immediate results. The high-level gathering aimed to generate recommendations on economic pillars, to be presented at the ASEAN Summit in Jakarta in September 2023. The discussions covered diverse issues, including the framework for a "blue economy" based on water resources, strategies for carbon neutrality and emissions reduction, and electric vehicles. The goal is to ensure that the chairmanship's outcomes create concrete, felt impacts within ASEAN societies.

Among the key focuses was the "blue economy" concept, not limited to countries with coastlines but extended to those with rivers and other water resources. The aim was to explore economic potentials related to water resources as new energy or economic sources. The proposal received support, acknowledging the diversity of ASEAN nations with some based on islands and others on the mainland. The meetings also addressed the need to strengthen ASEAN cooperation amidst the dynamic geopolitical landscape, as many countries sought to engage with ASEAN through trade, investment, and other collaborations. With 72 delegates from 11 nations attending, including Timor-Leste as an observer and the ASEAN Secretariat, the shared vision is to enhance cooperation for the mutual benefit of all, striving for a more productive and efficient ASEAN.

Source:
https://kalbar.antaranews.com/berita/545280/indonesia-mendorong-pertumbuhan-ekonomi-asean