Asia’s path to prosperity and stability is intertwined with its ability to collaborate and cooperate on a global scale. The Boao Forum for Asia 2025 brought together regional leaders to explore the possibilities of a more integrated Asia and the benefits it would bring to the entire world.
- Indonesia’s role in shaping Asia’s future
- Global challenges and the need for cooperation
- Strategies for infrastructure connectivity, clean energy transition, and digital transformation
Asia’s progress in recent decades has been remarkable. The region’s economies have grown significantly, with Asia now contributing more than half of global growth. However, this success is fragile and dependent on several factors, including trade, investment, and regional cooperation. Indonesia, a country that played a significant role in the Boao Forum, has long been committed to sustainable and inclusive growth. In 2005, then-president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono addressed the forum under the theme “Asia Searching for Win-Win: The New Role for Asia,” which marked the establishment of a strategic partnership between Indonesia and China.
Sustainability Beyond Crisis Management
Sustainability is more than just crisis management; it’s about lifting communities out of poverty, safeguarding natural resources, and ensuring long-term prosperity. Resilience may not yield immediate results, but it lays the foundation for stability. In Indonesia, President Prabowo Subianto’s administration has integrated infrastructure, food security, water management, and energy sustainability into a unified strategy. These areas are interconnected, and no infrastructure is valuable without electricity, clean water, or agricultural productivity.
- Example of improved irrigation systems in Central Java
- Scaling renewable energy projects
Infrastructure Connectivity: The Backbone of Regional Growth
Infrastructure connectivity is crucial for trade and investment. Without efficient roads, ports, and digital networks, economic growth stagnates. Indonesia advocates for deeper cooperation on cross-border infrastructure to ensure widespread benefits.
| Country | Infrastructure Development |
| Vietnam | Investment in roads and ports |
| Thailand | Expansion of digital networks |
The Clean Energy Transition: A Global Imperative
The Asian Development Bank estimates that unchecked climate change could shrink regional GDP by up to 17 percent by 2070. On the other hand, investment in green infrastructure and clean energy could unlock billions of dollars in economic gains and create thousands of jobs. Indonesia, with its vast geothermal reserves, is making renewable energy a central part of its strategy. The country is also expanding its battery and electric vehicles ecosystem, with a focus on advancing its nickel downstream industry.
- Indonesia’s energy transition extends beyond geothermal development
- Expansion of battery and electric vehicles ecosystem
Digital Governance: Ensuring Inclusive Growth
Digital governance must also be addressed. Artificial intelligence, data, and automation are reshaping industries, offering potential to enhance energy efficiency, healthcare, and education. However, without regulation, these technologies could widen inequalities and create security risks. Indonesia supports the establishment of a global framework for AI governance to ensure technology benefits society while reducing digital divides.
A More Integrated Asia: The Benefits of Collective Resilience
A more integrated Asia is not only an engine of growth but also a pillar of geopolitical stability. Regional cooperation faces challenges such as diverging national interests and economic disparities. However, the cost of fragmentation is much higher. The future is not something to wait for; it is something we build together. Governments, businesses, and regional partnerships must commit to bold reforms, drive sustainable innovation, and move from rhetoric to results.
Conclusion
As the Javanese say, “Becik ketitik, olo ketoro”; good deeds will be seen, and bad deeds will not stay hidden forever. The choices we make will define the world our children inherit. A more integrated Asia is the key to collective resilience in an era of uncertainty. Let us work together to build a brighter future for all.
