Jakarta – Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has officially handed over the ASEAN Chairmanship to the Prime Minister (PM) of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic or Lao PDR, Sonexay Siphandone, who will assume the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2024 .
The handover was carried out by President Jokowi during the closing ceremony of the 43rd ASEAN Summit and other summits, at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC), Jakarta on Thursday (07/09/2023 ).
“I will officially close the 43rd ASEAN Summit and other summits. Furthermore, I invite His Excellency Sonexay Siphandone, Prime Minister of Lao PDR, to continue ASEAN Chairmanship in 2024,” said the President.
The President said that the 43rd ASEAN Summit, which took place over three days from September 5 to 7, produced 90 documents and a number of concrete agreements with partner countries.
The President said that during the series of meetings, the leaders of ASEAN countries, partner countries, international organizations and other delegations showed optimism and positive energy.
“It strengthens hope, it strengthens the spirit to continue the struggle to create a peaceful region, a stable region and a prosperous region,” he said.
On this occasion, President Joko Widodo also expressed his gratitude to all the leaders and guests who attended the 12 summits which became a series of the 43rd ASEAN Summit. The president also thanked the leaders for their support for the Indonesian presidency in 2024.
“Let us continue to strengthen collaboration and cooperation for a peaceful and prosperous ASEAN, and to make the world a better place for all,” he said.
Although it passed the baton to Laos to assume the leadership of ASEAN, Indonesia will continue to serve as ASEAN chair until the end of this year before officially handing over to Laos at the beginning of next year.
During this series of meetings, President Jokowi chaired 12 sessions, namely the 43rd ASEAN Plenary and Retreat Summit, the 26th ASEAN-China Summit, the 24th ASEAN-Republic of Korea Summit, the 26th ASEAN-Japan Summit and the 26th ASEAN Summit. -Japan Summit, the 11th ASEAN-United States (US).
Upcoming meetings are ASEAN-Canada Summit, 26th ASEAN+3 Summit, 20th ASEAN-India Summit, 3rd ASEAN-Australia Summit, 18th East Asia (EAS) Summit and 13th ASEAN Summit -Union. UN).
In addition, the President also participated in a number of other related agendas, including the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit and the ASEAN-Indo-Pacific Forum (AIPF).
Besides the participation of leaders of ASEAN countries, the 43rd ASEAN Summit and other summits also brought together a number of leaders from partner countries and international organizations. Among those present were Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) Li Qiang, President of the Republic of Korea Yoon Suk Yeol, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Indian Prime Minister. Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Also present were US Vice President (Wapres) Kamala Harris, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea James Marape.
In addition, Indonesia has also invited the President of Bangladesh Mohammed Shahabuddin as the President of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and the Prime Minister of the Cook Islands Mark Brown as the President of the Forum of Pacific Islands (PIF). The presence of Bangladesh and the Cook Islands is an effort by Indonesia as ASEAN Chair to strengthen inclusive cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
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