APEC, ASEAN and G20 : Indonesia Foreign Policy

Started from November 8 until 16, 2014, Joko Widodo as the President of Indonesia had been passed some important agenda of foreign affairs. He went to China on 8-11 to attend Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit,  then he went to Myanmar to attend ASEAN Summit on 12-13 and the last he went to Australia to attend G20 Summit on 15-16. Today (16/11/2014) is the day when President Jokowi come back to Indonesia.

source: http://www.intriknews.com/2014/12/walah-menteri-perdagangan-bilang-jokowi.html

For this three meeting, President Jokowi as the representative from Indonesia always promoted about the main programs of his vision “Indonesia as world maritime axis” concept. This vision is supported by several countries. 

For the first time, he told this program on the keynote speech in APEC CEO Summit. He told about the problem of connectivity in Indonesia that implicated on the economic sector such as different price in several region like Papua which lack of transportation. He also invite to all of the CEO to plant their investment in Indonesia. China and Japan looked at this as good prospect on President Jokowi’s program of maritime axis. China has also made a program with (maybe) similar or in line with Indonesia program that is jalur sutra maritim. Also Japan is one of country which promised to join investment on this program.

                

In the second summit, which is ASEAN Summit, President Jokowi also promoted this program on several sides. He said that this program in ASEAN context made effectivity on connectivity among ASEAN country. He also view that this program could decreased the conflict on South China Sea which now has been claimed some of ASEAN countries and China.

                

The last, President Jokowi attend G20 summit which is the meeting of 19 countries and Europe Union. This G20 countries had 85 percent Gross Domestic Product (GDP)of the world and representated 75 percent world trade. President Jokowi also promoted this maritime axis. He also convey that Indonesia will redirect  BBM subsidy to others sector such as build the infrastructure or help the program of KIS (Kartu Indonesia Sehat), KIP (Kartu Indonesia Pintar) and KKS (Kartu Keluarga Sejahtera) to build human quality.

                

Generally, President Jokowi concerned to program of maritime axis. He always promoted this program in every meeting and this program got a positive reaction from several country.

He also always tell about experiences of his leadership. Implicitly, President Jokowi introduce “blusukan” concept. It showed on his trip to Tianjin to see immediately integrated harbor there, and he also recommend to do this because the real problem can viewed when we go to the street. Then he give the concept of diplomasi meja makan, it showed when he delivered presentation on his keynote speech on APEC CEO Summit, there is a picture when President Jokowi  was eating with the citizen and hear the aspiration.

President Jokowi also seems to be popular among the other leader. Although this is the first trip of president foreign affairs, President Jokowi can deliver his vision so good. However, President must be plan this concept wisely so Indonesia can reach profit from this relations and not become a boomerang for Indonesia itself.