This year Indonesia, as the Chairman of ASEAN, has the honor to host the 18th ASEAN Summit in early May and the East Asia Summit by the end of 2011. On these occasions, Indonesia wish to reaffirm its commitment and strategic role in the formation of a new regional architecture in East Asia, especially with the participation of the United States and Russia. It hopes to attain dynamic equilibrium regionally and globally. Indonesia will ensure that the new East Asia regional architecture will provide significant contributions to the political and security aspects, as well as prosperity in the region.

Indonesia has succesfully organized the 18th ASEAN Summit in Jakarta in early May carrying the theme “ASEAN Community in A Global Community
of Nations”. In line with this, Indonesia has proposed three priorities during its chairmanship of ASEAN in 2011, namely: to ensure significant
progress in achieving the ASEAN Community; to ensure that the regional architecture and regional environment remain ASEAN-centered and conducive to development; and to commence deliberations on an ASEAN vision beyond 2015 namely “ASEAN Community in a Global Community of Nations”. Indonesia has also agreed to work together based on these priorities to accelerate the undertakings towards the ASEAN Community in 2015 and to achieve a common platform for ASEAN beyond 2015 in Southeast Asia.

There were a number of issues discussed among ASEAN Leaders on a series of meetings during the ASEAN Summit. ASEAN leaders underlined
that the objective to build ASEAN connectivity should be realized immediately. Therefore, the master plan of ASEAN connectivity needs to be
implemented by all  ASEAN member states to build connectivity in their respective countries through infrastructure development, transportation, and telecommunication. This is aimed to strengthen and enhance people to people contacts in ASEAN region. The actualization of ASEAN connectivity is expected to drive regional economy and narrow the development gap between ASEAN member countries.

ASEAN Leaders have agreed to work together in facing threats of energy and food crisis. On food sector, ASEAN Leaders are committed to strengthen regional cooperation in order to increase food production and its productivity. Regional cooperation between ASEAN member countries on food sector include: increasing investment in agricultural sector, innovation, research and development. To ensure energy security in ASEAN region, ASEAN Leaders have also agreed to develop innovative energy resources and energy alternatives.

Indonesia as the Chairman of ASEAN for 2011 has proposed and facilitated dialog for a peaceful resolution between Thailand and Cambodia.
President Yudhoyono has held a trilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of Thailand and the Prime Minister of Cambodia in addition to the ASEAN Leaders Summit, which proposed peaceful solution through cease  fire, prevention of new conflicts, and bilateral talks between Thailand and Cambodia with Indonesia as observer if needed. This year, Indonesia has also held The First ASEAN-EU Bussiness Summit which focussed on
five sectors, such as : agrifood, automotive, health care, services, dan energy sector. We really  hope that this meeting can strengthen and improve economic cooperation between ASEAN and European member countries. (Iv)