By ANTARA News,
Jakarta : The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan expressed support to the Conference on “Emerging Asian Regionalism, Trends and Challenges,” saying that the stronger regional resilience has become increasingly important.
Pitsuwan`s support expressed here Wednesday by his representative, DR. K.S. Nathan, a Malaysian scholar and researcher, since Pitsuwan cannot attend the conference due to ASEAN preoccupations.
“Regionalism can be a stabilizing factor when shocks arise. This year the stability of the region is being challenged again. But I am sure ASEAN will be able to face these challenges as the region has grown more resilient, stronger and integrated,” Pitsuwan said.
In his letter, Pitsuwaan also called for regional economic integration, greater macroeconomic and policy coordination.
“I think one important form of policy coordination would be coordination of trade, investment and financial policies,” DR. Nathan said on behalf of the ASEAN Secretary General, adding that without a significant integration of the financial systems, an economic integration cannot go far.
Pitsuwan also underlined the best way for Asia to sustained growth and development is to look at regional economic integration.
The Conference on “Emerging Asian Regionalism, Trends and Challenges” is held by the Ministry of Finance, the Asia Development Bank and the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). About 500 delegates besides 10 public figures from Indonesia and some other countries took part in the conference.
Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani was scheduled to deliver an opening remarks but failed to come due to her preoccupations. Minister of Trade Mari Elka Pangestu officially opened the event.
The conference is the first warming up event before the 42nd Annual Asian Development Bank (ADB) meeting in May next year in Nusa Dua, Bali.
The second conference will be held in November this year focusing on food and energy security.