WORLD REVIEW

Indonesia as Global Middle Power in ASEAN Chairmanship 2023

Introduction :

First ASEAN Chairmanship was held in Indonesia at 23-24 February 1976 with the spirit of
cordiality and friendship. This first meeting agenda was initiated by Indonesia under
Soehaerto presidencial to review ASEAN progress and to find ways of strengthening
cooperation within members. It was a momentum for Indonesia to gain pivotal role in
ASEAN furthermore to the world. In ASEAN Summit 2022, Indonesia were mandated again
to hold the ASEAN Chairmanship 2023 for the fourth time. The chairmanship itself would
rotate annually based on the alphabetical order of the member stated. In ASEAN
Chairmanship 2023. To further resonance the succeed of Indonesia presidence in G20.
Indonesia issued the theme of “ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth” . In the middle of
critical of ASEAN relevancy, Indonesia under Jokowi presidencial strongly believe that
ASEAN will remain relevant and embark the spirit of creating ASEAN as a center of
Economic Growth. Indonesia certainly hold a pivotal role in ASEAN by being the middle
power. Indonesia as their position asglobal middle power expected to set agenda within the
interest of resolving global issue and to collectively issued the human right violation in global
. In this essay, we are going to discuss Indonesia as Global Middle Power in ASEAN
Chairmanship 2023.

Global Middle Power

The grading of each state became a favourite subject take places in Napoleonic Wars in 1815.
Where global powers only characterized into state who hold superpowers and regional
powers. Which at that time superpowers state was France and Britain while states like Russia
once stated as regional powers starting to play significant notable roles in European balance
of power. This to explain that the concept of Global Middle Power (GMP) is to identify a
country that possesses significant influence and military power in the global world yet fail to
classified as superpower. Between regional powers and superpower, GMP exist in between
who has the likelyhood to promote the cohession and world stability. The middle power play
active roles in multilateral diplomacy and addressing global issue by liberalis and proactive
approachment. The existenc eof GMP itself is to rebalance the hegemon of the superpower
state that every state have the prospect to affecting global agenda and raising international
issues. The concepT of GMP itself determine by their ability to impose their interest to other
country while againts other country issued on them. Thus, they have relative moderat
influence which means they can overcome the small power yet still not any greater than the
superpower.

GMP behaviour is to create stability in global system with multilateral and cooperative
approach. GMP countries collectively act as superpower in maintaining the peace and solving
issues like climate change, nuclear proliferation, human rights etc. they prioritize the
international law and actively contributing in international organization. Because of this, the
agenda set by the GMP has likelyhood to pass and get help from the superpower.
Middlepowermanship was viewed in 2020 where Australia as traditional GMP demand an
investigation of China in pandemic of COVID-19. This was happen in Mei 2020 and succeed
to gain support from over than 110 countries and EU.

Indonesia stance in ASEAN Chairmanship 2023

Indonesia as the chairmanship held the 42nd ASEAN Summit in 10-11th May, Labuan Bajo.
Indonesia in their fourth chairmanship hold a pivotal roles in setting the agenda of the 42 nd
ASEAN Summit. The primary concern for Indonesia comes from the Myanmar crisis which
has a dreadful in socio-economic, so goes with the discussion about south China Sea and
Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Protocol. In Indonesia ASEAN
Chairmanship 2023 succeed at resolving the demarcation of Exclusive Economic Zone with
Vietname. Indonesia also succeed at arrange a commemorative summit where all ASEAN
leaders with all leaders of European members. This evidently will give significant impact on
ASEAN-EU cooperation. Indonesia recognizition as Global Middle Power shows their
capability at setting the agenda and being part of the global issue settlement. Regarding The
42nd Asean Summit itself have several deliverables namely 5 out of 125:

1. Addopted the ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on Combating Trafficking in Persons

Caused by the Abuse of Technology
2. Addopted the ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on the Protection of Migrant Workers and
Family Members in Crisis Situations and the ASEAN Declaration on the Placement
and Protection of Migrant Fishers
 3. Recalling the ASEAN Leaders Declaration on Mainstreaming Four Priority Areas of
the AOIP.
4. Reiterated the ASEAN Leaders Review and Decision on the implementaion of the
Five-Point Consensus in 40TH and 41st ASEAN Summits about Myanmar
5. reiterated call for compliance with the UN Charter and international law regarding
Ukraince as for all nations to have sovereignity, political independence and territorial
integrity.

Conclusions

In conclusion, Indonesia chairmanship in ASEAN 2023 has explicitly show the influence
Indonesia hold as the Global Middle Power that collectively aim for international stability
which include security, economy and sustainability. A strong and effective ASEAN is
imperative for the stable and peace therefor it is important for ASEAN leaders need to hand
and hand to find solution of the problems that impacting the Southeast region.

Bibliography
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Summary:
Indonesia ASEAN Chairmanship 2023 was a momentum for Indonesia to show their power
and leadership especially in ASEAN 42nd Summit. In the final statement of ASEAN 42nd
Summit, Indonesia succeed at settling agenda which mainly discussed around human rights
and economy sustainability. This shows the power Indonesia hold as the Global Middle
Power that collectively promote the region and world stability, raise discussion regarding
climate change, nuclear proliferation, human rights etc, and leading ASEAN as the center of
Economic Growth