Labuan Bajo – Responding to global dynamics that are increasingly unpredictable as they are today, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) invites ASEAN countries not to remain silent in facing these global challenges. Jokowi believes that ASEAN is capable of becoming a central player in bringing growth and world peace.
This was said by President Jokowi when opening the 42nd ASEAN Summit 2023, at the Meruorah Hotel, Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), Wednesday (10/5).
“Asean leaders that I respect, at this time the global economy has not fully recovered, rivalries are getting sharper, world dynamics are increasingly unpredictable, and the question is whether ASEAN will only be a bystander, whether ASEAN will just be silent, and whether ASEAN is able to become the engine of peace and growth,” said President Jokowi.
Jokowi also emphasized the importance of the unity of ASEAN countries. It is believed that ASEAN is capable of becoming a central player in bringing growth and world peace. One of ASEAN’s strong assets is economic growth which is above the world average and a demographic bonus.
“I am optimistic that we all believe ASEAN can, as long as one key is unity, with ASEAN unity being able to become a central player in bringing peace and growth. A strong asset as the epicenter of growth, an economy that is growing far above the world average, a demographic bonus and regional stability that is maintained,” he said.
For information, President Jokowi will lead five meetings of the 42nd ASEAN Summit 2023 at the Meruorah Hotel, Labuan Bajo, NTT. The five meetings are the 42nd ASEAN Summit (Opening and Plenary Session), ASEAN Leaders Interface Meeting with ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) Representatives, ASEAN Leaders Interface Meeting with ASEAN Youth Representatives, ASEAN Leaders Interface Meeting with ASEAN Business Advisory Council Representatives (ASEAN-BAC), and ASEAN Leaders Interface Meeting with the High-Level Task Force on the ASEAN Community’s Post-2025 Vision (HLTF-ACV).
