President Jokowi Attends ASEAN-Gulf Countries Initial Meeting

President Jokowi attends ASEAN-GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) Summit at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, Riyadh, Friday (10/20). (Photo by: BPMI/Laily Rachev)

Starting the third day of his visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo attended the ASEAN-GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) Summit which was held at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, Riyadh, Friday (10/20).

Arriving at around 09.10 local time, President Jokowi was greeted by the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman Al-Saud.

Afterward, President Jokowi and PM Mohammed bin Salman Al-Saud along with the leaders of the countries attending the ASEAN-GCC Summit held a group photo session.

President Jokowi and other state leaders then headed to the plenary room to start the ASEAN-GCC Summit activities. In his speech, President Jokowi said that Indonesia as Chair of ASEAN 2023 welcomed the historic momentum of ASEAN’s first meeting with the leaders of the gulf countries.

“Thank you for the welcome and hospitality from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” said the President.

The President also said that ASEAN and the GCC are two big powers that will continue to grow. Based on data, currently the GDP of ASEAN and the GCC has reached more than US$5 trillion and the population has reached more than 700 million people.

“This is a big capital for us to play a strategic role as a positive force in the midst of a divided world,” said the President.

He also said that Indonesia appreciates the accession of all GCC members to the ASEAN Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation as a commitment from gulf countries to support peace in Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific region. (BPMI/AIT) (EST/MMB)