President Jokowi Opens the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia

Wed, 10 May 2023 13:19 | News | Editorial INTI

INTI,- Indonesia's President Joko Widodo, also known as Jokowi, officially opened the 42nd ASEAN Summit on Wednesday (10/05/2023) at the Meruorah Hotel in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara.

"Good morning, Your Majesties, ASEAN leaders. Welcome to the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia," the President said in his opening remarks.

The ASEAN leaders attending the meeting are Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen, Laos' Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the Philippines' President Ferdinand Marcos, Brunei Darussalam's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Don Pramudwinai, and Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. Timor Leste's Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak also attended the event.

"And, Your Majesty Taur Matan Ruak, Timor Leste's Prime Minister, welcome to the ASEAN family," the President said.

Indonesia chose the theme "ASEAN Matters: Epicenter of Growth" for its chairmanship in ASEAN this time, highlighting ASEAN's relevance and importance as the center of global growth.

Previously, in a press statement after a tour of the preparations for the ASEAN leadership welcome at Labuan Bajo International Airport on Sunday (07/05/2023), President Jokowi said that choosing Labuan Bajo as the location for the ASEAN Summit was an opportunity to introduce Labuan Bajo's potential to ASEAN and the world.

"This is a great opportunity. We are hosting the ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo to market Labuan Bajo so that the whole world knows that there is a place called Labuan Bajo in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia," said the President. ***. Hans