Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. During the ASEAN-Indo-Pacific-Forum (AIPF) held at Hotel Mulia in Jakarta on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, Kristalina Georgieva, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director, delivered crucial recommendations to ASEAN member countries on effectively addressing the intricate economic challenges they currently confront. She acknowledged that ASEAN members have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in relation to their economic growth. She emphasized, "The ASEAN region has faced considerable challenges, as its pre-pandemic growth projections were robust, but have now halved. This has resulted in an eight percent loss of potential output, signifying significant repercussions stemming from our collective experiences." Furthermore, she pointed out that ASEAN has encountered supply chain disruptions due to the pandemic and the Ukraine conflict. These disruptions have exacerbated pressures, crises, and inflationary trends in numerous advanced and emerging economies, including those within ASEAN member states. She stated that interest rates are anticipated to remain elevated until 2024/2025, which will inevitably impact ASEAN, including its currency stability. Consequently, she underscored the imperative need for ASEAN to sustain dynamic growth to effectively weather prevailing global economic challenges. "ASEAN's growth is a bright spot in a rather gloomy horizon. Global growth this year is at 3 percent, and ASEAN has achieved growth of 4,6 percent, which will continue into next year. Maintaining the momentum of growth is crucial," she said. To confront these challenges, she advised ASEAN member countries to uphold macroeconomic and financial stability as a means to bolster consumer and investor confidence. "This confidence has served you well before the pandemic and must continue to do so," she affirmed. She also recommended heightened investments by ASEAN governments in education and skill development, given the impending ascendancy of artificial intelligence. Hence, cultivating skills beyond those related to artificial intelligence is imperative in the near future. Concluding her remarks, she proposed that ASEAN member countries channel investments toward digital connectivity and the green economy, stressing that the absence of such investments jeopardizes prospects for the future. (ay/hn/nm)