JAKARTA (Japan News/ANN) — Indonesian President Joko Widodo, one of the leaders to participate in the upcoming G20 summit in Osaka, said the current U.S.-China trade friction would “weaken global economic growth.”

During an interview with The Yomiuri Shimbun on Tuesday, Widodo expressed his intention to look for ways to solve the friction, along with other issues such as to promote a “fair and open, transparent multilateral” trade system and WTO reforms at the Osaka meeting.

“Indonesia is the only ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nation) member of the G20. So we have an important role in voicing regional interest. In this regard, Indonesia will voice [for] increased participation of development countries in the global economic governance,” Widodo said.

He also said that Japan and Indonesia should pursue measures for disaster mitigation and disaster resilient infrastructure.

A series of natural disasters hit Indonesia last year including an earthquake and tsunami on the island of Sulawesi that claimed the lives of more than 3,600 people. The country has been in the middle of reconstruction with the help of Japan, and Widodo aims to share such experiences with G20 leaders by taking lead in a debate on disasters.

As for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), being negotiated by 16 countries including Japan, China, India and ASEAN members, Widodo said it is important that the member countries have the same commitment for no protectionism and more economic growth. He also emphasized his intention to reach an agreement by the end of this year.

On Sunday, ASEAN announced its own “Indo-Pacific cooperation concept” under a Widodo initiative.

“Now our world is full of uncertainty. We see the conflict of interests in our region,” he said, adding the concept aims for “cooperation instead of rivalry, inclusiveness, transparency, openness as well as respect for international law,” he said.

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