COORDINATING MINISTRY FOR ECONOMIC AFFAIRS
REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA

PRESS RELEASE
HM.4.6/150/SET.M.EKON.3/05/2023

42nd ASEAN Summit: President Joko Widodo Emphasizes Unity to Make ASEAN a Motor of Peace and Growth

Labuan Bajo, May 10th, 2023

The 42nd ASEAN Summit was officially opened by President Joko Widodo on Wednesday (10/05) at the Meruorah Hotel, Labuan Bajo. The Summit activities will last for 2 (two) days from May 10 – 11, 2023. The Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto was also present to accompany President Joko Widodo in the opening ceremony.

Global economic conditions that have not yet fully recovered, increasingly sharp rivalries and various challenges to global dynamics that are increasingly unpredictable, colored the event of Indonesia's Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2023. To deal with this condition, the President emphasized that ASEAN must be able to become the motor of world peace and growth.

On this occasion, President Jokowi posed a question to all participants of the Summit, "Will ASEAN only be a spectator, will ASEAN only be silent, and will ASEAN be able to become the engine of peace and growth?"

"I'm sure we all believe that ASEAN can, as long as there is one key, unity," said President Jokowi.

He further explained that with unity, ASEAN will be able to become a central player in bringing world peace and growth. "We have strong assets as the epicenter of growth. An economy that is growing far above the world average, demographic bonus, and regional stability that is maintained," said President Jokowi.

In the future, ASEAN must further enhance economic integration, tighten inclusive cooperation, including the implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and strengthen the architecture of health, food, and energy, as well as financial stability.

"Let's work hard to make ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth. And I hereby declare the 42nd ASEAN Summit opened," President Jokowi concluded.

All Heads of ASEAN Member States as well as the Secretary General of ASEAN and Timor Leste also attended the 42nd ASEAN Summit, except for the PM of Thailand who was represented by the Deputy Prime Minister and the Leader of Myanmar. (th/dep7/dlt/map/fsr)

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Head of Communications, Information Services, and Meetings Bureau
Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia
Haryo Limanseto

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