Labuan Bajo, NTT (ANTARA) – President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) delivered special greetings to three state leaders while opening the plenary session of the 42nd ASEAN Summit opening at Meruorah Convention Center, Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara, Wednesday.The three leaders are Malaysian Prime Minister (PM) Anwar Ibrahim, Laotian Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, and Prime Minister of Timor-Leste Taur Matan Ruak. “I would like to welcome His Excellency Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia, and His Excellency Sonexay Siphandone, Prime Minister of Laos, and also His Excellency Taur Matan Ruak, Prime Minister of Timor Leste. Welcome to join the ASEAN family,” Jokowi stated. The three leaders, who were specifically mentioned by President Jokowi in his remarks, were attending the ASEAN Summit for the first time. nwar Ibrahim was recently sworn in as Malaysia’s 10th PM since November 24, 2022, or about 10 days after the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits were held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Meanwhile, Sonexay Siphandone was appointed as PM of Laos since December 30, 2022. The country will also hold the 2024 ASEAN Chair. Timor-Leste Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak attended the ASEAN Summit for the first time after the country was accepted in principle as the 11th member of ASEAN late last year. The formulation of a road map for Timor-Leste to become a full member of ASEAN was one of the discussions at the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo. The 42nd ASEAN Summit was attended directly by all leaders of the regional cooperation organization countries plus Timor Leste, except for Thailand and Myanmar. Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha did not attend the summit, as the country is preparing for the general election scheduled to take place on May 14, 2023. Hence, Deputy PM and Minister of Foreign Affairs Don Pramudwinai represented him at the summit. Meanwhile, the Myanmar junta was still excluded by ASEAN from high-level meetings of the regional organization, as it was deemed to have failed to implement the Five-Point Consensus (5PC), a peace plan initiated by ASEAN leaders in April 2021 to help end the conflict in the country. Earlier, during a group photo session following the arrival of ASEAN leaders at the venue, PM Sonexay stood right next to President Jokowi in the middle of the line. This marks Laos as the holder of the 2024 ASEAN Chairmanship. t this chairmanship, Indonesia raised the theme “ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth,” which means that ASEAN is relevant and important as a center for world growth. Indonesia is keen to strengthen the capacity and effectiveness of ASEAN institutions, so that they are able to respond to the challenges of the next 20 years. Indonesia will escort the region towards a more adaptive, responsive, and competitive ASEAN 2045 in the ASEAN way that is in line with the principles of the ASEAN Charter. In its chairmanship, Indonesia invites ASEAN countries to play an active role and offer ideas and solutions for peace and prosperity in the region. s chairman, Indonesia is also keen to strengthen economic recovery and make Southeast Asia as an engine of sustainable growth.
Source: Antara News Agency