FPCI SPOTLIGHT #4
AOIP (ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific) and its Role in Indonesia, Southeast Asia, and Indo-Pacific
Written by:
Paulino Deo Pramana Barus (Research Fellow at FPCI Chapter UNDIP)
Retno Catur Wulan (Research Fellow at FPCI Chapter UNDIP)
Raissa Zandra Saraswati (Research Fellow at FPCI Chapter UNDIP)
The historical background of AOIP
The Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean regions are among the most dynamic regions, which are also related to economic growth. This dynamism impacts shifting geopolitical and geostrategic factors, which leads to the creation of opportunities and challenges. Seeing the existence of economic factors that can develop rapidly and cooperation in improving people’s living standards and the threat of miscalculation, conditions of disbelief, and patterns of win-lose behavior, consequently Southeast Asia, through ASEAN, is involved in this condition. That condition is considering that Southeast Asia is still related to the Asia-Pacific, including its dynamics. As it lies in the center of that dynamic center, thus ASEAN has become interested in taking the lead. ASEAN’s interest in leading varies from the formation of economic and security plans, ensuring the interests of the people, and maintaining its sustainability in creating peace, stability, and prosperity for the people of Asia, both Southeast, and the wider Asia, which includes areas such as the Pacific and Indian Oceans or the Indo-Pacific
ASEAN, which has been involved in regional construction, is consistently needed to inform a vision and mission of closer cooperation and be a liaison in the Indo-Pacific and Southeast Asia as ASEAN has engaged in developing an inclusive regional architecture for decades. Therefore, at the 34th ASEAN Summit in Bangkok, in June 2019, ASEAN leaders agreed to further discuss this initiative by establishing the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) with the aim to reinforce the ASEAN-centered regional architecture. This program envisages ASEAN as the critical point in establishing cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region with an ASEAN-led mechanism and seeking cooperation with other regional or sub-regional countries in their specific area. Moreover, the outlook also aims to enhance the development of the ASEAN community and create momentum for ASEAN to face and take advantage of challenges and opportunities in the regional and global environment now and in the future, including but not limited to security, prosperity, and economic growth.
2. Indonesia’s strategy in realizing AOIP and how significant it is for Indonesia
Indo-Pacific term is preferable instead of the previous term that is Asia-Pacific, for the fundamental differences in the areas related to waters. That area has become a contested area by various countries because of its importance. The Indo-Pacific has become the central point in the discussion of maritime geopolitical issues, security, trade, and environmental activities since the Indo-Pacific region is located within one of the most important international trade routes. Indo-Pacific got the first spotlight right after Japan announced the Free Concept and Open in Indo-Pacific (FOIP) by her Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2016 to answer security, economic, and maritime issues. Later in 2017, the United States of America (USA) announced its vision embodied in the AS Free and Open Indo-Pacific as a commitment to safe and secure areas. This commitment is supported by other superpower countries such as Japan, Australia, and India, or also known as the Quad and intended to counter China’s Belt Road Initiative (BRI) superiority that would impend the security within pacific.
The existence of the USA and China in the Pacific has impacted the ASEAN region as there are ASEAN countries that are more inclined towards the US or China. That proximity results in different directions of support which potentially lead to division in the ASEAN region. As a country located at the meeting point between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean and currently carrying out the vision of the World Maritime Axis (PMD), Indonesia feels that the contestation between the US and China will affect that program. Moreover, as a neutral country, Indonesia sees the contestation as a crucial matter which needs to be solved. Therefore, as a member of ASEAN, Indonesia takes the initiative to strengthen the cooperation of ASEAN members for the purpose of stability and security within ASEAN. In dealing with that problem, Indonesia finally created a common understanding of Indo-Pacific at the Southeast Asia level through the ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific (AOIP).
The AOIP concept was first initiated by the former Indonesia Minister of Foreign Affairs, Marty Natalegawa, in 2013, which was later redeveloped in 2017. This concept that the Indonesian government initiated was basically a response to some challenges originating from outside ASEAN (Indo-Pacific). After two years of discussion and negotiation, finally, in 2019, this concept initiated by Indonesia has got approval from other members of ASEAN. The Outlook is considered as a concept that has a strong character in describing ASEAN regional areas without losing the centrality of ASEAN. By initiating this Outlook, Indonesia hopes that Indonesia’s position in ASEAN could be secure so that Indonesia can fulfill its national interest. The national interest that wants to be protected especially through this program is Indonesia’s maritime. The maritime sector has become one of the most important issues in Indonesia, considering that the maritime sector has a big impact whether to Indonesia’s economy, security, and even military defense.
3. AOIP roles in the Southeast Asia and Pacific region
Given the current geopolitical dynamics, AOIP plays a critical role in the Indo-Pacific region. The purpose of establishing AOIP is to establish a framework for ASEAN countries’ involvement in the Indo-Pacific Region and the Indian Ocean. The implementation of AOIP is based on ASEAN Centrality, inclusivity, and complementarity. Therefore, in implementing AOIP’s vision, it prioritizes an open and inclusive discussion and cooperative approach in ASEAN’s priority areas, including maritime, economy, connectivity, and United nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Furthermore, AOIP strives to connect Indo-Pacific countries’ interests in maintaining peace, security, and prosperity with ASEAN’s central and strategic role. Thus, it is believed that through AOIP, Indo- Pacific countries will work together to build an integrated and connected region.
References:
Anwar Fotuna, Dewi. “Indonesia and The ASEAN Outlook on The Indo-Pacific”, Jurnal International Affairs, Vol. 96, №1, 2020, hlm. 111–129.
I Gusti Bagus Dharma A., “Undestanding Indonesia’s role in the ‘ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific’: A role theory approach”, Asia and the Pacific Policy Studies, 2020, hlm. 1–13.
Komang Triana, dkk., “Kepentingan Indonesia dalam Menginisiasi Pembentukan ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacifi (AOIP) Tahun 2017”, Jurnal DIKSHI, Vol. 1, №1, 2021, hlm. 118–132.
Langgeng Gilang, “Strategi Indonesia Mewujudkan ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific (AOIP) untuk Menciptakan Stabilotas di Kawasan Indo-Pasifik”, Jurnal Ilmu Sosial dan Humaniora, Vol. 26, №1, 2021, hlm. 1–22.
ASEAN OUTLOOK ON THE INDO-PACIFIC https://asean.org/asean2020/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/ASEAN-Outlook-on-the-Indo-Pacific_FINAL_22062019.pdf
