By: Zulkifli )*
President Jokowi met with a number of ASEAN leaders at the ASEAN Summit (Summit) which opened on May 9, 2023. In addition to discussing ASEAN’s central issues, various parties believe that the meeting will be able to strive for global peace.
President Jokowi hosted a number of heads of state in ASEAN in Labuan Bajo. The previous day, President Jokowi had met Cambodian PM Hun Sen. During the meeting, President Jokowi called for accelerating global economic recovery. By carrying out a collaborative, synergistic and inclusive spirit, all countries in the world are trying to provide concrete solutions to the multidimensional crisis.
In his introduction, President Jokowi even emphasized that Indonesia itself really appreciates and feels honored that Cambodian PM Hun Sen is willing to attend the ASEAN Summit in person.
The seventh President of Indonesia also gave his highest appreciation, not only to PM Hun Sen but to all the heads of state delegations of other ASEAN members for being able to take the time to attend the ASEAN Summit in the midst of the current world situation which is full of uncertainty and is not doing well. .
In fact, in the presence of PM Hun Sen, Jokowi immediately hoped that the holding of the ASEAN Indonesia Summit could produce cooperation and also concrete solutions to help accelerate global economic recovery as soon as possible.
Of course not alone, because PM Hun Sen also invited the entire delegation of the ASEAN Summit. With the presence of the Cambodian PM, of course it is hoped that the ASEAN Summit will bring about a change that will have a huge impact on global recovery. Because ASEAN itself is a strategic multilateral platform that can connect countries with the world’s largest economies.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo emphasized that ASEAN unity must continue to be strengthened so that it can play a role in peace as well as economic growth. As currently the global economy has not fully recovered, ASEAN must be the engine of peace and economic growth. The key is unity, so that ASEAN becomes a central player in global peace and economic growth.
The existence of ASEAN has a number of positive impacts felt from this association. Until 2022, ASEAN members will add another six countries to a total of eleven member countries. The six countries in question are Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia and Timor Leste. Indonesia itself has played the role of Chair of ASEAN three times (1976, 2003, 2011) and has produced proven achievements that can drive the progress of ASEAN countries.
Carrying the main theme titled ‘“ ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth “ , at least there are a number of objectives that the Government wants to achieve. In this theme, the Government emphasized that Indonesia wants to make ASEAN remain important and relevant to the ASEAN community and the world. This is because, Indonesia wants to make ASEAN a region that has an important role, for regional countries and the world. Both play a central role as the engine of peace and prosperity in the region. In addition, Indonesia also wants to make ASEAN a center for regional and world economic growth.
The people of Labuan Bajo support the ASEAN Summit because it is very beneficial for them. Labuan Bajo is increasingly recognized by Southeast Asians and the whole world. The reason is because when there was the 2023 ASEAN Summit, international journalists came to cover and they were amazed by the natural beauty of Labuan Bajo.
Nature and tourism in Labuan Bajo have been highlighted by international media so that this place has become more popular, and has increased the number of tourist visits. They are of course interested there because they watch the coverage, both on television and on the YouTube channel.
The increase in domestic and international tourists certainly increases the income of local entrepreneurs there. Especially for hotel and other lodging businesses. After 3 years of the pandemic and the business was quiet, when the hotel occupancy summit was full again. Both from the summit participants and foreign tourists who want to take a vacation and enjoy the natural beauty of NTT.
Likewise with other food and logistics entrepreneurs who were met by foreign tourists on vacation in NTT, after these tourists watched coverage of the summit in Labuan Bajo. The world of tourism in NTT and its surroundings is back on the rise.
Community leaders and local residents of Labuan Bajo, NTT positively welcomed the implementation of the ASEAN Summit, proudly participating in popularizing the 2023 ASEAN Summit on their respective social media as well as through SME’s HUB ASEAN Summit which is a side event of the ASEAN SUMMIT which specifically becomes a venue for activities for MSME players to showcase their creative work, as well as sell their superior products to the ASEAN SUMMIT delegates.
One of them, Janual Aidi, as the owner of D’ethnic Istana Mutiara Lombok, is happy because there are quite a large number of pearl enthusiasts in Southeast Asia, around 70 percent of the buyers come from Southeast Asia, such as Brunei Darussalam, Singapore and Malaysia, so this moment is an event that is not permitted. wasted.
The Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy (Menparekraf) Sandiaga Uno was even surprised that many micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) were involved in the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).
)* The author is a contributor to Nusantara Reading Room