Jakarta – The 43rd ASEAN Summit (Summit) officially started at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC). The opening of the event was directly led by President Jokowi.
In his remarks, Indonesian President Joko Widodo warmly welcomed ASEAN leaders and underlined the importance of equal cooperation.
“By saying bismillahirahmanrirahiim, I hereby officially declare the 43rd ASEAN Summit and other summits open,” said President Jokowi on Tuesday (5/9)
He also welcomed all the state leaders and delegates present.
President Jokowi revealed that there are questions about ASEAN unity in the future which might be divided due to differences. However, he said this would not happen.
“As a family member and as Chair of ASEAN, I emphasize that ASEAN unity is still well maintained.
For Indonesia, added the President, unity is a harmony in diversity, including differences of opinion. Because differences of opinion actually nourish democracy and show that we as a family have an equal position.
“Equality is actually the main value that we respect and uphold together within the framework of unity and togetherness so that the great ship of ASEAN can continue to move forward,” he said.
President Jokowi reminded that the world is currently not doing well. Therefore, he emphasized the importance of cooperation.
“The world is indeed not well, the challenges ahead are getting tougher and the big powers are fighting for influence. But ASEAN has agreed not to become a proxy for any power to cooperate with anyone for peace and prosperity.” President Jokowi explained.
He also advised all countries not to make ASEAN an arena of mutually destructive competition.
“Don’t make our ship ASEAN an arena for rivalry that destroys each other, but make our ship a field for growing cooperation, creating prosperity, stability and peace, not only for the region but also for the world,” he explained.
The opening ceremony of the 43rd ASEAN Summit was also attended by leaders and representatives of the countries participating in the ASEAN Summit, namely Prime Minister (PM) of Laos Sonexay Siphandone, PM of Cambodia Hun Manet, Head of the Thai Delegation Sarun Charoensuwan, and President of the Philippines Ferdinan Marcos Jr.
Not only that, Singapore PM Lee Hsien Loong, Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim, Vietnam PM Pham Minh Chinh, Timor Leste PM Xanana Gusmao, Cook Islands PM Mark Brown, Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin, and Brunei Darussalam Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah were also present.
