INDUSTRY.co.id - Jakarta - In the midst of the globalization of the third wave of uncertainty, Southeast Asian countries incorporated in the Association of South East Nations (ASEAN) is predicted to be a new world economic power in the next few decades.

Entering the middle of the century in August, ASEAN has made tremendous progress in maintaining unimagined peace and prosperity stability.

"At present, the challenges facing ASEAN are, among other things, the rapid development of the world, how to build a 'we feeling' among the ASEAN people and how to keep ASEAN centralized," Airlangga said on its facebook page @Airlangga Hartarto on Tuesday 8/7/2017).

As is known, Southeast Asia is one of the most diverse areas in the world, home to some 640 million people including 240 million Muslims, 150 million Buddhists, 120 million Christians, and millions of Hindus, Confucians, and Communists alike. Indonesia is the most populous country with 250 million people, while Brunei only 450,000 inhabitants. Looking at the population, ASEAN is ranked third after China with 1.379 billion and India with 1.324 billion people.

The total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of all ASEAN member economies is US $ 2.7 trillion and ranked seventh in the world. ASEAN is expected to become the world's fourth economic power by 2050, with its GDP reaching US $ 8.1 trillion after China on the first ranked, India and the EU. Singapore's current per capita income is US $ 52,960 per year, while Laos is US $ 2,353 per year.

Once again ASEAN has demonstrated its impressive toughness in the face of various unique crisis strikes. It is primarily rooted in the culture of deliberation and consensus (consultation and consensus) instilled by Indonesia. Compare with the Gulf Cooperation Council or the South Asian and African Union Regional Cooperation Association.

Indeed, ASEAN has not been able to prosper the population. But ASEAN continues to move forward with capital stability that seems very expensive today. Proven with the combined GDP has grown from US $ 95 billion in 1970 to $ 2.5 trillion by 2014. And this becomes an attractive platform for geopolitical engagement in Southeast Asia.

Furthermore, Airlangga revealed, at the 50th ASEAN anniversary of this, may the countries in Southeast Asia increasingly able to compete and be able to face all the challenges of changing the world. "Moreover, the relations between countries joined in ASEAN should also be stronger and stronger. Happy anniversary of ASEAN's 50th," he concluded.