Indonesia's Role in the ASEAN Indo-Pacific Forum

This research aims to look at Indonesia's role in the establishment of the ASEAN Indo-Pacific Forum (AIPF) and Indonesia's interests in AIPF. Researchers used role theory and the concept of national interest to carry out the analysis. Then the method used by the author is a descriptive qualitative method. Primary data was obtained directly by the author through a visit to the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (KemenkoPolhukam) in October 2023, then researchers also used government and international statements to strengthen the research results. The result of this research is Indonesia's success in implementing one of the pillars of the ASEAN Outlook Out the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), namely Indo-Pacific prosperity through inclusive and open cooperative dialogue in the fields of economics, connectivity and sustainable development through a forum formed under the name AIPF (ASEAN Indo-Pacific Forum). The birth of AIPF for Indonesia is an economic improvement through investment received by Indonesia and makes Indonesia's position stronger in international eyes


INTRODUCTION
Before independence until now, Indonesia continues to actively carry out diplomacy with various countries, actively participating in international meetings such as the UN session, the Asia-Africa Conference, the formation of ASEAN and other contributions.Geographically, Indonesia is located in the middle of the Indo-Pacific, which is a strategic area for the global economy, global politics and culture.For large countries such as America, China and Russia, the Indo-Pacific is a fertile field if they are able to control politics in the region (Pedrason, 2021) .Indonesia geographically has an impact on politics and the economy in the Indo-Pacific region, this is because Indonesia is in the middle of the Indo-Pacific and has a free and active foreign policy so it does not take sides with any bloc.Apart from that, Indonesia continues to strive to create peace in the region in various ways, including in ASEAN (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2022) .
Currently there are competing groups across the Indo-Pacific region, such as America and China, which are two hegemonic countries competing with each other to expand their influence to various countries throughout the region, including Southeast Asia (Arifianto, 2018) .The influences of these two big powers have been felt in the region, many countries in Southeast Asia have had internal conflicts which have become bigger due to the influence of these two hegemonic countries.Like the case in Myanmar, where Myanmar received sanctions from America in the form of cutting off the flow of funds amounting to 1 billion USD, which was then assisted by China (CNBC, 2021) .The Philippines and Vietnam, which dispute the South China Sea with China, then receive military assistance from America, and Cambodia, which has good relations with China, often has disagreements with America regarding politics (Silka A et al., 2021) .Apart from that, cooperation between countries such as AUKUS, QUAD, SCO and other military cooperation makes ASEAN's position amidst dangerous competition (Sumarlin, 2022) .
In 2019, a regional security concept emerged which was proposed by ASEAN together with the United States, China, Australia, Japan and India called AOIP (ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific).This concept aims to promote cooperation, dialogue and inclusive engagement in the Indo-Pacific region to encourage peace, stability and shared prosperity (Taufiqurrohman & Prasetyo, 2021) .The AOIP concept cannot be separated from Indonesia's role, the Indo-Pacific concept has been proposed several times at ASEAN meetings by Indonesia, so that indirectly Indonesia became the initiator of the formation of AOIP (Ministry of Defense, 2021) .Since its founding in 2019 until 2022, AOIP has not had concrete implementation regarding regional security.In 2023, Indonesia will become chairman of ASEAN and then initiate AIPF (ASEAN Indo-Pacific Forum) as a real implementation of AOIP in the fields of economy, connectivity and sustainable development (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2023) .The establishment of AIPF is of course not only a support for security and prosperity for the Indo-Pacific, but also a forum for various interests within it, including Indonesia.AIPF as a forum that brings together capital seekers and investors is the right place for Indonesia to seek capital for development and achieve prosperity.
The concept of AOIP and Indonesia's centrality in the Southeast Asia region has been widely researched and observed by various academic communities, such as research conducted by I Gusti Bagus Dharma Agastia in 2019, that Indonesia was able to carry out the role of bridge building and regional leader with the establishment of AOIP (Agastia 2020).In I Gusti Bagus Dharma Agastia Indonesia's research, he was assessed as a facilitator in regional communication within AOIP (Agastia, 2020) .Then research conducted by Sinta Julina, S.Sos., M.Si, which views that Indonesia's chairmanship of ASEAN in 2023 focuses on the values of multilateralism and inclusiveness, aims to become a force for peace and prosperity, as well as providing leadership in regional structures and also the importance of ASEAN in overcoming regional and global challenges and as a center for sustainable economic growth in the region and the world (Julina, 2023) .Then research on Indonesia's interests in the Indo-Pacific region was previously researched by Komang Triana Wulandari, Sukma Sushanti, and Penny Kurnia Putri in their research entitled Indonesia's Interests in Initiating the Formation of the 2017 ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific (AOIP), which stated that Indonesia has economic interests, through the initiation of sea highways and its aspirations as a World Maritime Axis (PMD).Then, Indonesia's defense interests are trying to maintain good relations between the two big powers collaborating with Indonesia so that Indonesia maintains a position in the region and gets a lot of support (Wulandari et al., 2021).This research will discuss Indonesia's role in AIPF descriptively.The author will look at and analyze Indonesia's role in AIPF using a follow-up report on the results of the 43rd ASEAN summit and a series of other related summits from the 2023 ASEAN External Cooperation Directorate of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, publications from various Indonesian ministries, ASEAN press releases, the ASEAN website 2023 government and international media.So, the results of this research are able to provide data and information regarding Indonesia's role in AIPF.This data will be analyzed using Role Theory and the Natural Interest Concept which will explain whether Indonesia has a role in accordance with its position and the expectations of other countries, and what interests underlie Indonesia's formation of AIPF.

LITERATURE REVIEW Role Theory
International relations are the interactions of actors that cross national borders, thereby creating certain relationships (Bakry, 2017).These actors can be countries, individuals or organizations.The interaction of each actor will influence other actors according to that actor's role (Bruce, 1997).Roles are taken from the world of theater, in theater an actor must behave according to a predetermined scenario so that the actor is expected to be able to act according to the role being played (Shaw et al., 2000).Roles are regulated by the norms that apply in global society, the importance of roles in an actor's relationship functions as a boundary so that it can predict an actor's actions (Soerjono et al., 2014).K.J.In 1970, Holsti conducted research which was later published in his article entitled "National Role Conceptions in the Study of Foreign Policy" grouping countries according to the roles they played into block leadership groups, balancing groups and satellite countries.Interests shape roles which can then change expectations as obligations for the role played for the group (Harnisch, 2013).
Based on this, a chorder must carry out social negotiations in carrying out the role he plays, because roles are basically rational.According to Hereopoetri, Arimbi and Santosa in 2003, roles have aspects of acting in accordance with their position, following applicable rules or norms, making contributions that are considered important to society.From these aspects, the role gives rise to several things such as the role as a policy, the role as a strategic tool, the role as therapy and the role as a tool for resolving disputes (Harnisch, 2013) .
Based on this, a chorder must carry out social negotiations in carrying out the role he plays, because roles are basically rational.Actors have responsibilities in the form of expectations in carrying out their roles, these expectations require them to be wise in making decisions.In carrying out its role there are two expectations, namely expectations from outside and from within.Expectations from outside come from actors who play their roles towards society, while expectations from within come from society towards actors who play their roles, so that interrelated patterns are created.
H1: Indonesia as a balancing actor and as ASEAN leader in 2023 is able to meet the expectations of other countries through AIPF.

National Interest Concept
According to Hans J. Morgenthau, national interest is the ability of a country to provide protection and maintain its political, physical and cultural identity from interference from other countries.National Interest has elements to meet the country's needs such as security, defence and economic prosperity.National Interest is divided into two, namely vital and non-vital, vital interests are interests that have high necessity value and in a short period of time, these needs concern the security of the people of a country.Meanwhile, non-vital is an interest that has a long period of time but the results can be felt in the future, then it does not have a high need and does not involve public security (Perwita & Yani, 2005).
interests explain that the sustainability of a country must fulfil its national interests so that the country can run stably in terms of economic, political, social and defence security (Tambunan, 2015).As time goes by, national interests emerge as a result of the country's geographic position, such as the economy, energy, security and socio-culture.To fulfil this, the country only needs to carry out soft diplomacy (Harini & Haqqi, 2017).Jean Marc Ciau and Nicholas J. Wheer in 2008 considered that non-vital national interests are not directly related to the existence of a country but are pursued through foreign policy such as bilateral cooperation, disaster management, scientific research, economic cooperation and so on.
H2: Through AIPF Indonesia has economic interests and strengthens Indonesia's position in international eyes.

METHODOLOGY
In this research the author used a descriptive qualitative research approach so that the data collected was a collection of words without any numbers.In qualitative research, numbers are sometimes used to support Indo-Pacific research.This data is useful to help provide direction for events or events that are in accordance with the objectives of research writing (Creswell, 2018).The object of this research is Indonesia's role in the ASEAN Indo-Pacific Forum.The author uses primary and secondary data sources.Primary data was obtained directly in the field by conducting interviews with Assistant Deputy II ASEAN Coordinator of the Ministry of Political, Legal and Security Affairs in Indonesia.Observations were carried out by the author for 3 months through an internship.Then secondary data was obtained by the author through mass media from official agencies that discuss AIPF so that these two data can strengthen the research results.The Miles and Huberman model field data analysis technique in 1992 in research conducted by Sugiono (2013) states that activities in conducting qualitative data analysis must be carried out interactively and occur repeatedly, so that whenever and wherever questions are asked of the informant (involving data triangulation ), and similar questions are asked to various subjects (involving subject triangulation), consistent results and answers from various sources remain the same which allows the researcher to stop the data collection process.

Indonesian Geopolitics in the Indo-Pacific
Competition between the western bloc led by the United States and the eastern bloc led by China is not something strange to hear in the modern era.The efforts made by the two great powers in the world include entering countries that are facing internal and external conflicts by providing military and economic support.China as the hegemonic country of the eastern bloc succeeded in building a port in Myanmar so that China had access to enter the Indian Ocean through the Malacca Strait.Apart from that, competition between the United States and China was felt when Myanmar received sanctions from America in the form of cutting off the flow of funds amounting to 1 billion USD, which was then assisted by China ( CNBC, 2021).The problems of the South China Sea cannot be separated from the influence of America, the Philippines and Vietnam, which fought over the South China Sea with China and then received help from a fleet of warships, port construction and airfields from America.Cambodia, which has good relations with China, often has disagreements with America regarding politics (Silka A et al., 2021).It doesn't stop there, territorial cooperation, motivated by fears of China's increasingly widespread influence in the Indo-Pacific, led America to form QUAD or The Quadrialateral Security Dialogue (America, Australia, Japan and India) in 2007.With the same background, America, England and Australia created a defence collaboration known as AUKUS in which Australia received assistance from American nuclear submarines (Nindya & Abiyya, 2022).QUAD, and other military cooperation puts ASEAN's position between dangerous competition (Sumarlin, 2022).China itself has the aim of increasing its hegemony through the Belt of Road Initiative or BRI which was formed in 2013.This BRI aims to connect the Eurasian economy through investment trade infrastructure which is divided into two, namely land and sea trade routes (Widowati, 2019).
Strong competition from these hegemonic countries threatens security stability, especially maritime security, and can give rise to territorial boundary disputes between countries in Southeast Asia which are still classified as middle powers.One of the issues of security stability that haunts countries in Southeast Asia is the issue of the South China Sea, which is still a hot topic of debate among many countries.This happened because the United States gathered strength in the Pacific region with the Balance of Power scheme in order to replace geopolitical dominance in the Indo Pacific region after China rose and first came to power.The United States is supported by its troops, namely QUAD, which includes Japan, India and Australia.The arrival of great rulers also had a positive impact on improving the economy in the Indo-Pacific region (Pangestu et al., 2021).There are ASEAN countries that show their inclination towards one of these big countries, namely China or the United States.It is feared that the difference in leaning direction could trigger divisions.Because these differences in direction are considered dangerous, efforts are made for countries under ASEAN to behave in accordance with the agreements and norms that have been agreed upon in ASEAN, such as being neutral and not taking sides (Djiwandono, 2020) .
Indonesia is the central point or meeting point between two large oceans, namely the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.Indonesia has also carried out a vision and played a role in the World Maritime Axis and sees that the competition between two hegemonic countries, namely China and the United States, is capable of having a massive influence.on the success of the World Maritime Axis program.Indonesia is also a place for China and the United States to invest, with the highest value compared to other countries that invest in Indonesia.If one day something unstable happens, it is feared that it will have an impact on reducing or even stopping investment from these two large countries and affecting the Indonesian economy.With Indonesia's strategic position, Indonesia is trying to maintain stability with special policies that can help overcome the problem of power struggle in the Indo Pacific region by China and the United States (Pangestu et al., 2021).
Being in the midst of rivalry puts Indonesia in a difficult situation.Indonesia wants to maintain good relations with China in terms of economic investment, infrastructure and good relations in the industrial sector, while on the other hand, Indonesia is aware of one thing, that with China's massive power it is capable of causing instability in the Southeast Asian region or ASEAN member countries, as well as America.The two ruling countries in the world, namely China and the United States, have created two big camps for ASEAN member countries.China has become the country with the most voters in Southeast Asia, followed by the United States.This election has a tendency towards the closeness of ASEAN member countries to one of the superpower countries.For example, the Philippines and Vietnam prefer the United States because they are still at odds with China regarding the South China Sea issue (Delanova & Fadillah, 2023) .
Indonesia, as the natural leader of ASEAN, has made ASEAN a support for Indonesia's foreign policies so far (Setnas, 2021) .On the basis of Indonesia's strategic position, Indonesia is embracing ASEAN member countries or countries in the Southeast Asia region to participate in maintaining the Indo Pacific region to remain stable and avoid triggers of division, as well as remaining neutral.Indonesia is embracing the ASEAN member countries by proposing the ASEAN Outlook on Indo Pacific, namely efforts to maintain the security of the Indo Pacific region through cooperation and open dialogue even though the AOIP concept is not an absolute rule for its members.The ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific was successfully approved by ASEAN on June 22 2019.The efforts made by Indonesia are in accordance with the principles of its free and active foreign policy.This principle requires Indonesia to actively participate or not be passive in participating in activities in the international sphere, especially when it concerns world order (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2019) .
Being in the midst of rivalry puts Indonesia in a difficult situation.Indonesia wants to maintain good relations with China in terms of economic investment, infrastructure and good relations in the industrial sector, while on the other hand, Indonesia is aware of one thing, that with China's massive power it is capable of causing instability in the Southeast Asian region or ASEAN member countries, as well as America.These two big countries have created two big camps for ASEAN member countries.China has become the country with the most voters in Southeast Asia, followed by the United States.This election has a tendency towards the closeness of ASEAN member countries to one of the superpower countries.For example, the Philippines and Vietnam prefer the United States because they are still at odds with China regarding the South China Sea issue (Delanova & Fadillah, 2023) .
With these differences in alignment, it creates a political map scheme that will threaten ASEAN's sovereignty, therefore Indonesia expressed several ideas or ideas to create a view within ASEAN towards the Indo-Pacific.In compiling these ideas, Indonesia has gone through various lengthy processes, such as assigning tasks to the Policy Research and Development Agency based on orders from the Minister of Foreign Affairs in 2018.The assignment was related to the development of the Indo-Pacific concept.The next step taken was a consultation effort involving many universities, Indonesian representatives abroad, institutions engaged in research and related agencies.This second step or process produced results, namely the successful formulation of a document entitled "Indonesia's Perspective for an ASEAN Outlook on Indo Pacific: Towards a Peaceful, Prosperous, and Inclusive Region".This document was then diplomatized by the Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs at that time, Mrs. Retno Marsudi, President Joko Widodo, as well as Indonesian diplomats at various meetings, both formal and non-formal meetings (Pangestu et al., 2021).

ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific
The concept of military and security cooperation has been formed in several regions and between countries until the birth of AOIP.In 2007, the Indo-Pacific was first discussed by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe through his speech in the Indian parliament.In his speech he urged cooperation with the West to maintain maritime and regional security, which had an impact on the economy, leading to the birth of QUAD (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue).Then ASEAN, China, Russia, India, Japan and Australia attended the East Asia Summit in Bali on November 19 2011 declaring mutually beneficial relations and solving problems without violence.On May 16 2013, Marty Natalegawa, the Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs at that time proposed to create an Indo-Pacific Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation to maintain regional security.In November 2017, about seven months after FOIP (Free and Open Indo-Pacific) was introduced in Tokyo.Then Australia issued a foreign policy related to the Indo-Pacific and America released a National Security Strategy to stem China's influence in the Indo-Pacific in 2017.
The AOIP concept began to be discussed through a diplomatic approach carried out by the American prime minister of defence, precisely on January 22-24 2018, the United States Minister of Defense, Jim Mattis, visited Indonesia to discuss Indo-Pacific security, this was because Indonesia had previously proposed the Indo concept several times -Pacific.Retno Marsudi as Indonesia's foreign minister welcomed this positively.Then at the 34th ASEAN Summit which took place in Bangkok, Thailand, on 22-23 June 2019 the ASEAN Outlook Out the Indo-Pacific was inaugurated.To date, AOIP members consist of all countries in Southeast Asia and partner countries including the United States, Australia, India, Japan, Republic of Korea, China, Russia and New Zealand.AOIP has an important vision or goal to be achieved after its founding, namely to present an Indo Pacific region that has stable, prosperous, peaceful conditions and synergy with ASEAN (Humas, 2023).Based on Figure 2, the AOIP concept has been designed in such a way in various fields of cooperation and dialogue so that through AOIP the Indo-Pacific region becomes a safe and peaceful region and AOIP becomes a channel for establishing a sense of trust in order to create mutually beneficial conditions (Ministry of Defense, 2021).Then, during Indonesia's leadership in ASEAN in 2023, Indonesia initiated the ASEAN Indo-Pacific Forum as an implementation of AOIP in the economic sector.
Figure 2. AOIP Connectivity Concept with Other Regional Mechanisms ASEAN carries out Indo-Pacific cooperation which crosses various collaborations such as IORA (Indian Ocean Rim Association), SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region), BRI (Belt Road Initiative), Japan's-AAGC (Japan Asia Africa Growth Corridor), EU -Asia Connectivity, OZ's New Pacific policy, US Build Act International Development Finance Cooperation.AOIP is an important regional concept because AOIP involves most of the world's regional cooperation and its centrality makes AOIP able to reduce problems in the Indo-Pacific through dialogue and communication.

Indonesia's Chair in ASEAN 2023
On November 13 2022, Indonesia officially became chairman of the regional organization Southeast Asia or ASEAN.The 43rd ASEAN Summit was attended by 22 countries and 9 international organizations.Under its chairmanship, Indonesia has a mission to create regional cooperation and strengthen the existence of ASEAN as the centre of economic growth for the region.The theme raised by Indonesia is ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth.This theme consists of two major elements, namely ASEAN Matters and Epicentrum of Growth as the basis for the ASEAN 2045 vision.ASEAN Matters describes ASEAN as the Locomotive of regional stability and prosperity so that it is beneficial for the ASEAN community and the world.The Epicentrum of Growth describes the Southeast Asia region as the Centre for Growth in the Region and the World that is inclusive, strong and sustainable.ASEAN Matters has three elements, namely: strengthening ASEAN capacity and effectiveness, ASEAN unity, and ASEAN centrality (ASEAN, 2023).The elements of ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth are divided into four, namely: health architecture, energy security, food security and financial stability.Indonesia has the main goal of making ASEAN the centre of regional and world economic growth.To make this happen, 3 Priority Pillars of Economic Deliverables have been prepared, namely; Recover-Rebuilding; Digital Economy; Sustainability.
Indonesia's leadership in the first quarter has succeeded in encouraging negotiations on the text of the Code of Conduct, the preparation of terms for Timor Leste's membership in ASEAN, the eradication of TPPO (Criminal Trafficking in Persons), as well as the signing of the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Protocol, implemented by improving the health structure.through the One Health Initiative, strengthening food and energy security, including efforts to build an electric vehicle ecosystem.In addition, there is an agreement on the commitment to use ASEAN countries' currencies in trade transactions to increase financial stability in the region.The implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) is the main focus, where the Minister of Foreign Affairs emphasizes strengthening concrete AOIP cooperation based on the principles of inclusiveness, economic cooperation and economic development.To support this, Indonesia has held a flagship event, namely the ASEAN-Indo-Pacific Forum.In addition, a number of important meetings have been held, such as the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat in Jakarta The third pillar is to make Southeast Asia a center of growth which contains economic development in ASEAN through various commitments and renewed cooperation such as the East Asia Summit and the preparation of ASEAN's economic pillars in the future.The fourth pillar is making the Indo-Pacific a peaceful and prosperous region through an inclusive, concrete cooperation approach containing the results of the ASEAN Indo-Pacific Forum, the signing of the IORA and PIF memorandum of understanding, the ratification of AOIP mainstreaming in the EAS at the Eset Asia Summit, then cooperation in digital economic transformation and sustainable.ASEAN Indo-Pacific Forum (AIPF) AIPF or ASEAN Indo-Pacific Forum is an implementation of the ASEAN Outlook Out the Indo-Pacific which includes mutually beneficial cooperation in the fields of economics and sustainable development.AIPF was born at the 34th ASEAN Summit at Hotel Mulia Jakarta on 5-6 September 2023 which was attended by heads of state/government, CEOs/company leaders, and leading experts from various fields such as Tetsuya Watanabe (President of ERIA), Ajay Banga (President of the World Bank), Klaus Schwab (Chairman of World Economic Forum), and Kristalina Georgieva (Managing Director of IMF), Marisa Drew (CSO of Standard Chartered), Patrice Caine (CEO of Thales Group), Ahmed Mazhari (President of Microsoft Asia), Abdulaziz Alobaidli (COO of Masdar) and Sunarso (CEO of Bank Rakyat Indonesia) and many more.From these two days of discussions, Indonesia succeeded in reaching a number of cooperation agreements on 93 projects with a value of up to 38.2 billion US dollars.The results of the collaboration include; Startup Connect, is the result of collaboration between the Government and business circles (Government-to-Business), between the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemlu), Google, and Impacto ; MoU that has been signed between 10 leaders or institutions in agreement on the use of local currency in transactions with foreign partners; Garuda Indonesia signed an MoU with global technology company Thales regarding innovation laboratory collaboration for maintenance of avionics equipment.Then the involvement of BUMN such as Pelindo, MIND ID/IBC, Krakatau Steel, PLN, Pupuk Indonesia, Angkasa Pura, Pertamina, ASDP Ferry and InJourney, Danareksa, Biofarma, Jasa Marga, and Waskita in 35 BUMN projects, 4 Bappenas projects, and 11 projects from ASEAN countries and other collaborations.AIPF encourages the acceleration of regional supply chain development through industrial down streaming.It is also hoped that the innovative financing scheme offered by AIPF to partners can accelerate the realization of a just, inclusive and sustainable energy transition.

International Response to AIPF and Indonesia
Every leadership in ASEAN certainly brings about many differences and changes.Indonesia itself received a lot of responses from official ASEAN countries and also international media.The official news agency of the Vietnamese government called Vietnam Plus published news stating "Indonesia has launched the ASEAN Indo-Pacific Forum as its 2023 ASEAN chairmanship's flagship program to strengthen collaboration in the region" (Vietnamplus, 2023) .Vietnamplus also stated that Indonesia initiated the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific in 2019 and then implemented it in the AIPF to increase mutual respect and trust in the region, through cooperation.Apart from Vietnam Plus, The British Chamber of Commerce (BritCham) also stated Indonesia's role in the founding of AIPF stating that Indonesia seeks to exploit the potential of the Indo-Pacific region to build concrete economic cooperation, said Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Pahala Nugraha Mansury on Tuesday (Britcham , 2023) .International media under the auspices of the Asia Corporate News Network, namely JCNEWSWIRE, reported that Indonesia gave birth to AIPF cooperation which was able to increase the global economy by 4.5% until 2024 (JCNEWSWIRE, 2023) .Then ASEAN Indonesia 2023 through its press release stated that Creating a Platform for an Inclusive Indo-Pacific Region, Indonesia will hold the ASEAN-Indo-Pacific Forum (AIPF): Implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (ASEAN Indonesia, 2023)

DISCUSSION
The competition between the two big blocs between China and America is like two blades that can have both positive and negative impacts.On the one hand, the entry of China and America has had a positive influence on the Southeast Asian and Indo-Pacific economies, on the other hand, the competition between the two has created new problems by seeking alliances, so it is feared that it will create divisions in the solid ASEAN.Indonesia as one of the pioneers of the ASEAN Outlook Out the Indo-Pacific continues to strive to provide insight and encouragement for stability, security and prosperity in the region.Until then Indonesia became chairman of ASEAN in 2023.Indonesia's chairmanship of ASEAN throughout 2023 gave birth to many collaborations and agreements, including regional economic cooperation, namely AIPF (ASEAN Indo-Pacific Forum) which is the implementation of AOIP in the pillars of prosperity for all countries in the Indo-Pacific in the form of dialogue cooperation, inclusive and open cooperation in the fields of economics and sustainable development (SDGs).AIPF, which was born at the 34th ASEAN Summit at Hotel Mulia, Jakarta on 5-6 September 2023, received the support of many countries with the signing of various cooperation agreements or MoUs.
Quoted from the official ASEAN Indonesia 2023 website, Indonesia seeks to encourage sustainable development in the Indo-Pacific region through the ASEAN Indo-Pacific Forum.Indonesia encourages ASEAN countries to remain neutral towards the great competition between China and America to maintain harmonization in Southeast Asia.Indonesia officially declares that AIPF was born at the initiative of Indonesia, this is recognized internationally.This was conveyed in the Presentation Report of the Director of ASEAN External KS -Coordination Meeting Follow-up to the Results of the 43rd ASEAN Summit and a Series of Other Related Summits, Kemenkopolhukam which is listed in the 90 outcome documents of the fourth pillar to make the Indo-Pacific a peaceful and prosperous region through a concrete and inclusive approach.Press releases carried out by various countries and international media as well as official ASEAN statements via the ASEAN Indonesia 2023 website.Apart from that, an official statement from the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs (Menko Ekonomi) Airlangga Hartarto on September 3 2023 stated that "Indonesia has a vision to encourage regional development sustainable development through the ASEAN-Indo-Pacific Forum (AIPF).The AIPF will invite public, private and global sector participation in various projects in the region that support green infrastructure and resilient supply chains, digital transformation and the creative economy, as well as innovative and sustainable financing."(Ministry of Information, 2023) .
Indonesia's neutrality between the competition between the two blocs has resulted in the two camps being able to sit together and discuss with each other to achieve mutualistic symbiosis.Indonesia hopes that AIPF will be able to improve the economies of ASEAN countries so as to create stability in the region.Then, AIPF is expected to maintain regional security, because mutually beneficial cooperation between countries will result in prosperity and closer brotherhood between its members.Due to Indonesia's initiation, regional cooperation was established and Indonesia was able to present 2,500 participants, 96 speakers and 16 companies who were able to sit in one room and discuss the welfare of the region together, both America and China which were seen as big countries and competing with each other.Indonesia's initiation of AIPF which was able to present many heads of state, representatives of this country certainly added to the positive image of Indonesia and strengthened Indonesia's position in international eyes.The increasing positive image of Indonesia in international eyes has been seen from the many international media reporting on Indonesia's chairmanship of ASEAN in 2023 and the birth of ASEAN and Indo-Pacific economic cooperation through the ASEAN Indo-Pacific Forum.
During the AIPF forum, Indonesia offered investment to all sectors present at the high-level meeting, totaling 39 projects, consisting of 35 BUMN projects and 4 Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas projects.Some of the projects proposed by Indonesia include an aluminum smelter project worth US$ 1.8 billion, the Bali Maritime Tourism Hub (BMTH) project by PT Pelindo Indonesia (Persero) worth US$ 4.3 billion, and green projects by PT PLN (Persero) and PT Pupuk Indonesia (Persero) with a value of US$ 5 billion.Apart from that, PT Pupuk Indonesia (Persero) is also offering an ammonia factory construction project worth US$ 4.8 billion, and other projects such as the development of special economic lot areas (Kemenparekraf, 2023) .then the potential for further cooperation from the 43rd Summit is worth a total of US$50 billion, consisting of BUMN worth US$22 billion, Bappenas US$10 billion, and 11 other projects from 5 ASEAN countries totaling US$810 million.At this meeting, Indonesia succeeded in obtaining a total investment value of 93 collaborative projects with a value of USD 38.2 billion, as well as 73 potential projects worth USD 17.8 billion as stated in the MoU between the ministries, BUMN and the sectors present.Seeing the many investment offers made by Indonesia in the AIPF forum, Indonesia has an economic interest in its initiation in AIPF.
Through AIPF, Indonesia seeks to make Southeast Asia a centre of growth to build mechanisms for regional economic resilience from external threats.Partner support is demonstrated through various participation and contributions therein.Then Indonesia hopes that AIPF will also be a pioneer of economic development for the future of the ASEAN region.Indonesia as a natural leader will be a bridge in regional development which has been implemented through AIPF collaboration.Apart from that, through AIPF, Indonesia hopes that other countries will be able to make ASEAN a regional centrality, a center for economic growth and make the Indo-Pacific region a peaceful and safe region through AIPF cooperation.

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Competition between America and China to increase influence in the Indo-Pacific has created complex dynamics that could threaten regional security.In this context, Indonesia as the natural leader in ASEAN takes a central role in making ASEAN a neutral and peaceful region, as well as the centre of world economic growth through its initiative, namely the ASEAN Indo-Pacific Forum (AIPF).AIPF was initiated by Indonesia during its leadership in ASEAN in 2023.Through Indonesia, AOIP can be implemented in the pillars of regional prosperity through economic cooperation.Indonesia is able to present heads of government or state representatives, large companies, capital owners and capital seekers through AIPF.The large meeting provides a positive image for Indonesia and strengthens its position in international eyes.Through AIPF, Indonesia hopes that ASEAN can become the main pillar in maintaining stability and promoting economic growth in the Indo-Pacific.Through AIPF, all members gain mutual benefits or symbiotic mutualism so that good relations between countries can create a safe and prosperous region.For Indonesia, AIPF is a place to improve Indonesia's positive image in international eyes, strengthen Indonesia's position in the Indo-Pacific and strengthen the Indonesian economy through the investment that Indonesia gets in AIPF.
From the results of research and studies conducted by the author, the author has not seen any innovations that make AIPF a regional forum that provides convenience for its members such as investment transaction regulations or ease of investment taxes, so the author provides suggestions to AIPF to create regulations that make it easier for AIPF members to cooperate with each other in it.

FURTHER STUDY
The author realizes that the author is just an ordinary human being and of course there are many shortcomings in conducting this research, in this case the author is aware of the absence of data on the results of AIPF collaboration in the form of companies that have succeeded in collecting investment funds or investing and their value.So that in further research this data can be found and its analysis.

Figure
Figure 1.AOIP Concept on 1-4 February 2023, the ASEAN Tourism Ministers' Meeting in Yogyakarta on 2-5 February 2023, and the ASEAN SOM and Related Meetings in Jakarta on 6-8 March 2023.A meeting between ASEAN economic ministers was also held at the ASEAN Economic Ministers' (AEM) Retreat in Magelang, Central Java, on 20-22 March 2023.In addition, the ASEAN Finance Ministers & Central Bank Governors' Meeting in Bali on 28 -31 March 2023 is also part of efforts to strengthen cooperation in the economic sector.Not to be left behind, the ASEAN Youth Dialogue on Development for Sustainable Development Goals on 11-13 April 2023 is an important forum for exchanging ideas and preparing recommendations related to digital development in Southeast Asia.Around 60 young people from ASEAN and Timor Leste participated, and the resulting recommendations will be submitted to ASEAN Leaders at the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2023a) .Report of the Coordination Meeting Follow-up to the Results of the 43rd ASEAN Summit and a Series of Other Related Summits by the Director of ASEAN External Cooperation the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs which was held on 21 September 2023 explained Indonesia's achievements in 1 period of leadership in 90 outcome documents which were based on the four pillars of leadership.The first pillar contains ASEAN's long-term vision, where the ASEAN Long-term Vision for 2045 has been contained in ASEAN Condord IV.The second pillar, namely making ASEAN Matters and more resilient in facing the challenges of the times, contains the preparation of Rules of Procedure to Support the Decision-Making Process at the ASEAN Summit which strengthens decision making to face emergency situations, Promotion and protection of ASEAN human rights, Ratification of the Status of the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the ASEAN-Canada Strategic Partnership.
During the Summit there were several themes for the Panel Discussion, the Panel Discussion included: 1. Prospects of Green Infrastructure Investment Across Different Areas of the Indo-Pacific 2. Resilient Supply Chain: Indo-Pacific as a Production Hub for Strategic Industries (including EV and Battery) 3. Addressing Energy Trilemma: Balancing Energy Security, Affordability, and Sustainability Darmawan Prasodjo 4. Bridging the Digital Divide: Opportunities and Challenges in Digitalizing Infrastructure and MSMEs 5. Upskilling and Reskilling for the Digital Transformation 6. Connecting the Connectivity Plans in Asia and Beyond 7. Centivizing Green Investment and the Role of Regulatory Reform 8. Green Financing and Carbon Market 9. Accelerating the Mobilization of Business Sector through Sustainable and Innovative Financing 10.Recovery Momentum: Advancing the Creative Industry and Tourism as Experience Economy 11.Funding and Opportunities in Movies and Digital Products 12. Advancing Movie, Audio-Visual Entertainment Industry and Digital Products Through Better Regulation.