Secretary General Affirms ASEAN Will Always Play a Role in Maintaining Peace

ANTARA

ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn emphasized that ASEAN has always played a role in maintaining peace in the region and in the world since its formation in 1967 until now.

“Since 1967 until now in 2024, the peace agenda has always been there. We must maintain peace in the region. We have to work hard to maintain peace,” ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn said as a speaker at Nalanda University, India, as seen via live broadcast here on Thursday.

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The Secretary-General said peace is not something that can be given by outsiders. Rather, peace must be built in the region by these countries. However, until now wars are still raging in Korea and Vietnam, as well as in various other parts of the world.

Even the production of nuclear bombs in some is increasing and other countries can also get these nuclear bombs if they want them.

“These nuclear bombs can destroy the entire planet very easily. So that’s why for us, for all of you, you have a role to play to ensure that our present and future generations have lasting peace. This lasting peace is our shared responsibility,” he said.

He emphasized that ASEAN always tries to narrow the gap by building between the world of theory and the world of reality. According to him, contributing a lot in terms of theory is not enough, but must also contribute in the real world.

“ASEAN plays its role through the promotion of the habit of consultation and cultural dialogue, as well as the engagement of power. We engage all major countries as well as all friends and partners through diplomatic dialog. Why, because we promote the interests of peace. We have seen many wars in the past and even today,” he said.

Furthermore, the Secretary General also talked about welfare that should be enjoyed by all humans. According to him, poverty alleviation has made a lot of progress both in ASEAN, India, China and other parts of the world.

However, he warned not to underestimate the prosperity that has now been achieved because if the country does not devote many of its resources then all the efforts and economic power deployed will be in vain.

ASEAN, he said, maintains prosperity by ensuring that the region is attractive to foreign direct investment. In 2022, ASEAN ranked second only to the United States as a region that can attract a lot of foreign investment.

The amount of foreign investment in 2022 has almost doubled compared to 2019, which amounted to US$200 billion (Rp3,126 trillion). The impact of foreign investment includes job creation, as well as economic development benefits that improve people’s welfare.

“ASEAN is currently very focused on the Circular Economy, Blue Economy and Digital Economy to drive this agenda for current and future generations of ASEAN. And that is why we are also working with India. Investing in tourism connectivity as a top priority, which will promote mutual interests, which will drive benefits for both parties,” he said.

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