Bangladeshi President Attends 43rd ASEAN Summit as IORA Chairperson

President of Bangladesh Mohammed Shahabuddin arrives at Soekarno Hatta Airport, Tangerang, Banten province, Monday (09/04). (Photo by: BPMI of the Presidential Secretariat)

President of Bangladesh Mohammed Shahabuddin is scheduled to attend the 43rd ASEAN Summit at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC), Jakarta in his capacity as Chairperson of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).

The plane carrying President Mohammed Shahabuddin and his entourage arrived at Soekarno Hatta International Airport, Tangerang, Banten province, on Monday (04/09) at around 17:40 Western Indonesian Time. He was warmly welcomed by Minister of Environment and Forestry Siti Nurbaya Bakar.

In addition to the President of Bangladesh, another state guest arriving at the airport on Monday was Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim. The PM and his entourage arrived at the airport at around 15:20 Western Indonesian Time and were directly welcomed by Minister of Communications and Informatics Budi Arie Setiadi.

At around 16.30 Western Indonesian Time, the plane carrying Sultan of Brunei Darussalam Hassanal Bolkiah and entourage landed at the airport and were welcomed by Minister Budi Arie.

Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong and his entourage also arrived in the country and were welcomed by Minister Siti Nurbaya. In addition, President of the Philippines Ferdinand Marcos and his entourage arrived at the airport at around 18.00 Western Indonesian Time and were also welcomed by Minister Siti Nurbaya.

Previously, Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno LP Marsudi stated that the 43rd ASEAN Summit will be participated by 22 countries and 9 international organizations. The 22 countries consist of 11 ASEAN countries, 9 partner countries, Bangladesh as Chair of the IORA, and the Cook Islands as Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF).

“The IORA and the PIF were invited because one of our priorities this time is an Indo-Pacific that is peaceful, stable, prosperous, and inclusive. So, when we talk about the Indo-Pacific, we must start embracing those in the South Pacific and the Indian Ocean Rim. And, in the summit, the ASEAN Secretariat will cooperate with the IORA and PIF Secretariats,” Retno said on Friday (09/01).

Retno also revealed several international organizations that will attend the summit, namely the United Nations (UN), the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Retno also said that at the 43rd Summit, the President will chair 12 meetings and hold bilateral meetings with several attending countries. (UN) (FI/LW)