ASIATODAY.ID, NUSA DUA – The ASEAN economy is expected to increase by providing added value by seeking a sustainable economy.
Aware of this potential, in the 2023 ASEAN Chair, Indonesia will bridge the interests of the economic prosperity of ASEAN countries by encouraging ASEAN to become the “epicenter of growth” through implementing sustainable economic development.
“Last week, the President and I attended the APEC Summit, and the vibrant ASEAN as the epicenter of growth was seen by all countries,” said the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Airlangga Hartarto, representing President Joko Widodo, opening the 41st Conference of the ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organization which was organized by Indonesian Engineers Association (PII) and ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organizations (AFEO) at the Bali International Convention Center, Wednesday, November 22 2023.
Coordinating Minister Airlangga further said that sustainability is a global issue. At Indonesia’s Chair in ASEAN in 2023, there are 16 Priority Economic Deliverables (PED) which underline the important role of a sustainable economy for a resilient future. This goal includes a broader framework for: electric vehicle (EV) development, improving sustainable finance, standardizing SDGs implementation, promoting the energy transition, increasing energy interconnectivity, and capitalizing on the blue economy.
ASEAN has also formulated and developed various initiatives to support the implementation of a green economy through the ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on Developing Regional Electric Vehicle Ecosystem. The declaration supports the implementation of EVs in member countries and positions ASEAN as a global center for the EV industry by utilizing its natural resources and creating a supply chain ecosystem. Coordinating Minister Airlangga also explained that developing the EV ecosystem would reduce dependence on energy, especially imported fuel.
“We need to build an EV ecosystem from upstream. “And this is homework for all of us as engineers,” said Coordinating Minister Airlangga.
Similar to the green economy, ASEAN is also working on implementing a blue economy. The Ministers of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Council adopted the ASEAN Blue Economic Framework at the 23rd AEC Council Meeting and was subsequently adopted by the Leaders at the 43rd ASEAN Summit.
In addition, to facilitate sustainable development, encourage environmentally friendly practices, improve social welfare, and encourage economic growth in the region, Indonesia is also holding the ASEAN Indo-Pacific Forum (AIPF).
AIPF has a set of tangible outcomes consisting of 93 projects, with an aggregate value of approximately $38.2 billion designed to align with green infrastructure and flexible supply chains, sustainable innovation and financing, and digital transformation.
It should be noted that efforts to achieve a sustainable economy are also carried out at the national level. Coordinating Minister Airlangga explained that biofuel in Indonesia will continue to be developed based on its supporting aspects, not only biodiesel (bioethanol, HVO, Bioavtur), but also CPO products and also non-CPO products. This development is carried out not only by large companies, but also through community-based empowerment, of course by meeting consumer specifications, utilizing biodiesel by-products, and developing more sophisticated biofuel technology.
“Indonesia has also explored the potential of hydrogen fuel cells. “Hydrogen is a promising technology that can be used not only for automotive purposes,” continued Coordinating Minister Airlangga.
Closing his remarks, Coordinating Minister Airlangga reiterated the importance of sustainable economic development because according to the Asian Development Bank report, Southeast Asia is a region that will be disproportionately affected by climate change and has the potential to lose up to 30% of GDP in 2050 due to climate change. Climate change also has an impact on food security.
Also attending the conference were the 5th President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prime Minister of Sarawak, Minister of Public Works and Public Housing, Deputy for Coordination of Commerce and Industry, Coordinating Ministry for the Economy, Chairman of the World Federation of Engineering Organizations, Chairman of the ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organizations, and thousands other delegates from various countries. (AT Network)
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