Jakarta (ANTARA) – Trade Minister Budi Santoso departed for Cebu, Philippines, on Wednesday to attend the 48th ASEAN Summit to discuss several global development issues impacting the region.Santoso emphasized that the meetings on May 7 and 8 serve as momentum to encourage more inclusive and sustainable economic integration in Southeast Asia.”Indonesia wants to ensure that ASEAN remains a driver of inclusive and sustainable economic growth, and is able to respond to various global challenges together,” he said in a statement.Santoso added that the summit will also discuss efforts to maintain energy security and strengthen coordination in responding to geopolitical dynamics.The regional bloc will also encourage strengthened economic cooperation to enhance regional resilience and joint responses to various potential crises.The minister said that Indonesia supports energy and food security initiatives as well as the strengthening of regional supply chains for essential goods.Furthermore Indonesia highlighted the importance of supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises by optimizing internal and external cooperation mechanisms.”We hope the summit will be a crucial momentum to strengthen synergy among member countries in maintaining regional stability and encouraging closer and more responsive cooperation to global dynamics,” Santoso continued.The official is scheduled to attend the Joint ASEAN Foreign and Economic Ministers Meeting (AMM-AEM Meeting) along with several other regional sessions.He will also accompany Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto at the 27th ASEAN Economic Community Council Meeting.Furthermore he will attend the Indonesia Philippines Business Forum initiated by the Indonesian Trade Attaché in Manila.The business forum aims to explore various cooperation opportunities which will strengthen economic integration through intra regional trade relations.