Yogyakarta, 13 September 2018 – Along with recent developments in issues surrounding the region that is increasingly complex and requires reciprocal relations between states to solve, the motivation to form regional cooperation or organizations is increasing. This phenomenon also occurs in states in the Asia-Pacific region, with various regional institutions or agreements initiated; and among them is the Indo-Pacific. The term ‘Indo-Pacific’, in which recently was predicted to replace the relevancy of the term ‘Asia-Pacific’, was the primary concern in ‘Panel Discussion: The Strategic Role of ASEAN in the Indo-Pacific’ on Thursday.
The discussion, which took place in the meeting room of the Dean of FISIPOL UGM, was held by Global Engagement Office (GEO) of FISIPOL UGM and The Habibie Center and invited three speakers and was moderated by Muhammad Rum S.I.P., IMAS. The representative of The Habibie Center, Ir. Hadi Kuntrjara M.Eng.Sc, expressed his gratitude for the cordial reception and hoped that both institutions will continue to cooperate in the future, whether in research or opportunities for future job placements for students. After the opening speech, the event was started with the introduction of the three speakers, Ibrahim Almuttaqi and Dr. Alexander Chandra from the ASEAN Studies Program of The Habibie Center and Dr. Dafri Agussalim from the ASEAN Studies Center of FISIPOL UGM.
In the question-and-answer session, several interesting questions were raised by the participants, such as the correlation between Indo-Pacific cooperation and the response of ASEAN states regarding economical aid from China and the continuity of the social-cultural pillar in ASEAN cooperation; were also discussed in the discussion. The event was closed by the handing of souvenirs from GEO to The Habibie Center, which was represented by Ibrahim and Dr. Chandra as the speakers.