Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia on the Opening of the Plenary Session of the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara Province, May 10, 2023
Good morning Your Excellencies ASEAN Leaders,
Welcome to the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia.
I would like to welcome Your Honourable Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia and Your Excellency Sonexay Siphandone, Prime Minister of Laos, and also Your Excellency Taur Matan Ruak, Prime Minister of Timor-Leste.
Welcome to the ASEAN family.
Distinguished ASEAN Leaders,
The global economy has not fully recovered. Rivalry is on the rise sharply. Global dynamics is unpredictable. Those bring questions: will ASEAN only be a spectator? Will ASEAN just be silent? Will ASEAN be able to become an engine of peace and growth?
I believe that we all share the same views that ASEAN can and unity is the key. With unity, ASEAN will be able to play a central role in bringing peace and growth.
We have strong assets to be the epicentrum of growth: the economy that grows above the world average, demography bonus, and maintained regional stability. It is, therefore, in the future that ASEAN must strengthen its economic integration, inclusive cooperation including the implementation of RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership) as well as architecture of food health, energy, and financial stability.
Let’s join hands to create ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth. I hereby open the 42nd ASEAN Summit.
To commence this session, I would like to invite Prime Minister of Timor-Leste to deliver his view. Your Excellency, the time is yours.
(GA/EP)