Pacific Islands Forum Esala Nayasi, left, with Forum chair Mark Brown, second-left, signed a memorandum of understanding between ASEAN and the PIF at the ASEAN Secretariat. The MoU paves the way for potential cooperation between ASEAN and PIF in areas of common interest. Photo: ASEAN
The Pacific region's principal policy organisation has formalised an agreement with Southeast Asia's main political and economic bloc for greater cooperation in Jakarta this week.
The Pacific News Agency reported Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) chair Mark Brown has singed a "cooperation agreement" with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Monday following a meeting with Indonesia's President Joko Widodo.
Brown, who is also the Cook Islands prime minister, attended the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta.
The Indonesian government said both leaders welcomed the signing of a cooperation agreement between the ASEAN Secretariat and the Forum Secretariat.
"This is an implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific initiated by Indonesia in 2019, then translated during Indonesia's chairmanship by embracing the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and PIF," Indonesia's foreign minister Retno Marsudi said.
Brown "also expressed his respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries", according to the government statement.
"The Prime Minister of Cook Islands conveyed that the top priority for the PIF is discussing development priorities with its partner countries," Retno said.
President of Indonesia Joko Widodo opens the Plenary Session of the 43rd ASEAN Summit at the Jakarta Convention Center, Jakarta, Tuesday, September 2023. Photo: M Agung Rajasa
ASEAN power
Meanwhile, during the opening plenary of the ASEAN summit, Joko Widodo said that ASEAN could play a significant part in development.
But he said for that to happen the ASEAN countries needed to collaborate better.
"ASEAN's direction is clearly the epicentrum of growth. ASEAN has great capital to achieve it, but ASEAN must be able to work harder, more united, bolder, and more agile," he said.
"ASEAN also needs a long-term tactical strategy that is relevant and in accordance with people's expectations, which is not only for the next five years but next 20 years until 2045."