ASEAN Enhances Economic Cooperation with IORA and PIF

ASEAN has strengthened cooperation with the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and Pacific Island Forum (PIF).

IDXChannel - ASEAN has strengthened cooperation with the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and Pacific Island Forum (PIF) after signing an inter-Secretariat Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). 

The signing took place on the sidelines of the ASEAN Ministerial Meetings in Jakarta on Monday (4/9/2023).

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi in her welcoming speech stated that the cooperation is very significant in strengthening the tie between ASEAN and countries in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

 “Countries in the Indian and Pacific Oceans are an integral part of the Indo-Pacific region. We share the same region. What happens in the region will likely affect us all,” said Foreign Minister Retno.

Therefore, she continued, ASEAN and countries in the Indian and Pacific Oceans must work together in maintaining peace, stability, and prosperity in the region. Indo-Pacific must not become a stage for major power rivalries or potential hotspots for conflicts that occur in other regions.

“This will only be possible when we uphold our shared values and principles, namely the collaboration paradigm instead of competition, win-win mentality instead of zero-sum, and engagement approach instead of exclusion,” added Retno.

 Furthermore, ASEAN and countries in the Indian and Pacific Oceans are also sharing common challenges and opportunities. With that in mind, we must be united in overcoming challenges and moving forward.

 “Remember, if you want to walk fast, walk alone. But if you want to walk far, walk together. I am certain we all want to walk far,” stated Retno.

 In that regard, ASEAN and countries in the Indian and Pacific Oceans strengthen concrete cooperation across various areas of common interest, among others economy, maritime, and climate change. They also collaborate to strengthen regional resilience and make the region an epicenter of growth.

 “Because we believe in inclusivity. We believe in walking further,” Retno concluded.

 The MoU consists of agreements to strengthen inter-Secretariat concrete cooperation in a number of priority areas, among others maritime, connectivity, SDGs, blue economy, green economy, digital economy, and disaster management.

The MoU was signed by the Secretary General of ASEAN Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary General of IORA Salman Al Farisi, and Deputy Secretary General of the PIF Esala Nayasi. The procession was witnessed by the Foreign Minister of Indonesia, the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh as Chair of IORA, and the Foreign Minister of the Cook Islands as Chair of the PIF.

IORA is an international organization consisting of 23 countries around the Indian Ocean, including Indonesia. While PIF consists of 18 Pacific countries, and Indonesia is one of the forum’s dialogue partners. (WHY)