42nd Summit strengthens Asean to be central force in bringing peace, growth - Jokowi

JAKARTA, Indonesia - Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Sunday thanked regional leaders for their presence at the summit last week, stressing that the meeting had strengthened Asean to be the central force in bringing peace and growth.

According to the president popularly known as Jokowi, the meetings and discussions among the leaders took place in a "familiar, warm, and pleasant atmosphere”.

"In a strong bond as a family of one region, I believe Asean will be able to be a central player in bringing peace and growth that has strong assets as the epicentre of growth: an economy that grows far above the global average, demographic bonuses, and stability of the region,” he wrote in an Instagram post.

Jokowi pointed out that Asean leaders came together to discuss various regional challenges ahead amid the yet-to-be fully recovered global economic situation, sharper global rivalries, and increasingly unpredictable global dynamics.

"Thank you, leaders of Asean, for the presence in Labuan Bajo. Let’s work hard to make Asean Matters: Epicentrum of Growth,” he added.

Eight heads of government from the 10 Asean member states attended the summit except from Myanmar, which was not invited, and Thailand, which is facing elections.

At the end of the productive summit, leaders reiterated the need for dialogue and an end to violence in Myanmar, reaffirmed their commitment to protecting migrant workers and victims of human trafficking, and strengthening economic cooperation for an estimated Asean’s total population of about 668 million.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who took part in the Leaders’ Summit for the first time, said the summit was very meaningful as member countries have strengthened regional cooperation.

The 42nd Asean Summit held in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara province, is the first of two Asean Summits under Indonesia’s chairmanship of Asean in 2023.

The 43rd Asean Summit will take place in Jakarta in September, where Asean Leaders and Asean’s external partners will discuss the development and strengthening of Asean cooperation with its external partners. - BERNAMA