NTT – The 2023 ASEAN Summit was opened by the President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo (Jokowi). The opening of the ASEAN high-level meeting of heads of state was held at the Meruorah Labuan Bajo Hotel, West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), Wednesday (10/5).
“I hereby declare the 42nd ASEAN Summit opened,” said the President.
In his opening speech, President Jokowi began his remarks by reminding that the global economy has not yet fully recovered, competition is getting tougher, and world dynamics are increasingly unpredictable.
“And the question is whether ASEAN will only be a spectator? Will ASEAN just stay silent? Can ASEAN be the engine of peace and growth?” he added.
The head of state also added that these challenges could be overcome if all ASEAN countries truly united.
“I believe we believe ASEAN can do it as long as one key is unity with ASEAN unity being able to become a central player in bringing peace and growth,” said the president
Then, the President explained that ASEAN has strong assets as a center of growth or the epicenter of growth to make that happen. These various capitals include an economy that grows above the world average, demographic bonuses, to regional stability.
“ASEAN must further strengthen its economic integration, strengthen inclusive cooperation, including the implementation of RCEP, and strengthen the architecture of health, food, energy and financial stability,” said the head of state.
The President also did not forget to invite all the leaders of the Association of Nations in Southeast Asia to continue working hard to realize ASEAN’s ideals as a center of growth.
The opening of the ASEAN Summit was attended by the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam Hassanal Bolkiah, Prime Minister of Cambodia Hun Sen, Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Laos Sonexay Siphandone, President of the Philippines Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong, and Prime Minister of Vietnam Pham Minh Chinh.
Participating in the meeting was Prime Minister of Timor-Leste Taur Matan Ruak as an observer.
Meanwhile, the Thai Prime Minister did not attend the 42nd ASEAN Summit because he will hold elections on May 14, 2023. The Myanmar Military Junta was not invited because it did not implement the ASEAN consensus regarding the Myanmar crisis.
