President Jokowi Attends 30th ASEAN Summit in Manila
A number of head of states pose for a group photo at the Opening of the 30th ASEAN Summit in Manila, the Philippines, on Saturday (29/4)
On Friday (28/4) morning, President Joko Jokowi Widodo, accompanied by First Lady Ibu Iriana Joko Widodo, headed from Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base to the Philippines, to pay a state visit.
In his state visit, President Jokowi is slated to attend the 30th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Manila. President Jokowi will deliver his insights on the achievements and challenges of ASEAN in its 50th founding anniversary, Head of Bureau for Press, Media, and Information Affairs, Secretariat of the President Bey Machmudin said in a press release on Friday (28/4).
The President will also use this state visit to enhance bilateral relations and economic partnership between the two countries, particularly on trade sector.
In addition to Manila, President Jokowi, along with First Lady Ibu Iriana, and the entourage are also scheduled to visit Davao City. President Jokowi and the President of the Philippines Rodrigo Roa Duterte will inaugurate the launching of Roll-on Roll-off (Ro-Ro) Davao-General Santos-Bitung ship route, Bey added.
The inauguration is expected to strengthen subregional trade and enhance connectivity not only between Indonesia and the Philippines but also among ASEAN countries.
From Davao City, President Jokowi will carry on his state visit to Hong Kong. Considering that there are 172,000 Indonesian citizens working in Hong Kong, the President will ensure that they get protection from the authority.
The President will also use this state visit to enhance economic cooperation with Hong Kong because Hong Kongs investment to Indonesia in 2016 reached US$2.25 billion or higher by 225 percent compared to that in 2015 which was only at US$691 million.
President Jokowi hopes this state visit can bring much benefits to Indonesian people and also can strengthen the cooperation between Indonesia and the countries he has visited.
President Jokowi and President Rodrigo Roa Duterte
Upon his arrival in Manila, the Philippines, President Jokowi conducted a state visit to the Malacanang Palace, on Friday (28/4) afternoon to pay a return visit from President Duterte in September 2016.
President Jokowi was welcomed by President Duterte in an Official Welcoming Ceremony.
This is the Presidents second state visit to the Philippines after his first state visit that was done during President Benigno Aquino III Administration.
The two head of states conducted a bilateral meeting which discussed several issues on maritime sector, security sector, eradication of illicit drug, improvement of trade relations, people-to-people exchange, and others.
Both Presidents also witnessed the signing of Memorandum of Understanding on agricultural sector, that will strengthen the development of agriculture in the two countries through technical assistance, joint researches, and mutual beneficial consultation. The signing of a joint declaration related to connectivity is also planned to take place in this event.
The 30th ASEAN Summit
On Saturday (29/4), the 30th ASEAN Summit was officially opened at the Plenary Hall Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), Manila.
President Jokowi and First Lady Ibu Iriana Jokowi arrived at the venue at around 10.05 a.m. local time and they were welcomed by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and his spouse Cielito Avancena in the Reception Hall Lobby PICC.
Twenty five minutes later, the opening ceremony of the 30th ASEAN Summit was begin, commenced with the reverberation of the ASEAN Anthem the ASEAN Way, followed by a cultural presentation titled Iisang Bangka Tayo (We are in the Same Boat).
President Duterte in his opening speech urged for realizing a drug-free ASEAN community. The illegal drug trade is massive, but it is not impregnable, the President added. With political will and cooperation, it can help to break down and eliminate the drugs before it destroys our people, President Duterte firmly said.
President Duterte also promoted bilateral, regional, and multilateral cooperations in order to face both regional and global security threats, such as ship hijacking and terrorism.
Moreover, President Duterte also called on the leaders of ASEAN countries to strengthen their patnership with business community. We must strengthen the capacities of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as the motor of economic growth, President Duterte added.
Following the opening ceremony, the Summit is carried on by holding a Plenary Session. In the Session, President Jokowi delivered his insights on the position of ASEAN amidst the current world conditions. (UN/RAH/EN) (UN/ES) (RA/MMB/YM/Naster)
