West Manggarai – The 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), has been held. Indonesia has again succeeded in proving its ability to organize international standard events. This is evidenced by the many appreciations and praises for Indonesia as the host of the Summit.
Timor Leste Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak said that he really appreciated the success of the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo.
According to him, this moment was an honor for Timor Leste, which for the first time attended the ASEAN Summit.
Ruak also stated his commitment that Timor Leste will follow the path set to become a full member of ASEAN.
“Timor Leste will comply with the follow-up to the Roadmap which was agreed upon jointly with other ASEAN members,” he said.
In an official press conference at the ASEAN Summit media center, Bintang Flores Hotel, Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai, President Jokowi said that Indonesia wants to see ASEAN as strong, capable of facing challenges, responsive to dynamics, and still holding a central role in the region.
“Therefore, yesterday I invited the leaders to sail together on the phinisi boat, so that the atmosphere is relaxed and kinship,” said President Jokowi, in Labuan Bajo (11/5).
At that time, the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., acknowledged that this activity was a very good idea to clear his mind again after a long day of work.
“As promised by President Widodo is we come to the ship and we don’t think too much about the economy and problems, security, and that’s absolutely true, it’s a very good idea to clear your mind so go back to work and refresh,” said the President of the Philippines.
Prince Abdul Mateen from Brunei Darussalam even revealed that he really enjoyed the trip on the Lako Di’a ship.
Not only the heads of state, but also many foreign media members who expressed their appreciation for the series of implementation of the ASEAN Summit, in particular their appreciation for the availability of a media center as a place for journalists to do their work.
A journalist from China’s Xinhua News Agency, Qin Xu, said that appreciation deserves to be given to the management of the Media Centee of the 42nd ASEAN Summit for making it easier for journalists to work amid the busy ASEAN Summit activities.
“The internet network at the ASEAN Summit Media Center c is fast and good, making it easier to send news,” Qin said, as quoted on the InfoPublik website at the 42nd ASEAN Summit 2023 Media Center, Labuan Bajo.
To note, at this ASEAN Summit, Indonesia succeeded in pushing for the creation of a number of cooperation agreements and declarations, including a joint statement against violence in Myanmar, the ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on Advancing Regional Payment Connectivity and Promoting Local Currency Transactions and the ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on Combating Trafficking in Persons Caused by The Abuse of Technology.
Indonesia has also successfully pushed forward the Declaration on the Development of Regional Electric Vehicle Ecosystems, in order to achieve net-zero emission targets, and increase energy security in each ASEAN Member State and in the regions. [-red]
