Foreign Minister: ASEAN Summit Preparations on Right Track
President Jokowi inspects the readiness of the ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara, Tuesday (04/25). (Photo: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat)
Preparations for the 42nd ASEAN Summit set to take place in East Nusa Tenggara province’s Labuan Bajo in May are on the right track, Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi has confirmed.
“We checked the preparations at the venues firsthand today. We can say that it stays on the right track,” the Minister said, Tuesday (04/25).
According to her, the summit will include eight meetings from 10 till 11 May, in which five meetings will be held on the first day, with three others be held on the second day.
“On the first day, all meetings will be chaired by the President. On the second day, the President will preside over two meetings, while Prime Minister of Malaysia will lead the other one,” she said.
Retno went on to say that the President had also inspected supporting facilities, including for the plenary meeting, the retreat, and the spouse program.
Komodo Airport has also been upgraded by developing its international and domestic terminals and a number of supporting facilities and infrastructure are also meticulously prepared to welcome delegates, she added.
“We will resume preparations for the airport, including banners of the ASEAN Summit. Once again, we will check the preparations in detail,” she said, adding that hotels in the area must bring comfort and safety for the guests as the President hopes the summit can promote Indonesian tourism, especially Labuan Bajo.
“It is certainly a great opportunity to promote Labuan Bajo both in ASEAN and in the world,” she said, while expressing optimism that Indonesia’s ASEAN chairmanship can run smoothly.
“Bismillah, we hope our big job to convene the summit can run smoothly. I seek your prayers,” the Minister remarked. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/UN) (RIF/EP)
