President Jokowi Kicks Off 2023 ASEAN Chairmanship

President Jokowi rides bicycle with ministers from Merdeka Palace to Bundaran HI roundabout, Sunday (01/29). (Photo by: BPMI/Lukas)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo officially launched the Indonesia’s chairmanship of ASEAN 2023 at Hotel Indonesia (HI) Roundabout, Jakarta, Sunday (01/29).

The President rode a bicycle from Merdeka Palace. At Sarinah building, he stopped by and talked with a number of ambassadors and permanent representatives of friendly countries, then together with the ambassadors, the President walked to the HI Roundabout.

Along the way, the people there welcomed the arrival of the President.  There were also a drum band procession and a parade of national flags and traditional clothes of ASEAN countries.

President Jokowi then went to the main stage and officially kicked off Indonesia’s chairmanship in ASEAN for 2023.

The Secretary General of ASEAN Kao Kim Hourn welcomed the arranging of such opening ceremony. According to him, President Jokowi has paid a lot of attention to ASEAN. He also expressed belief that Indonesia will be successful in holding the chairmanship of ASEAN as it had succeeded in holding the presidency of the G20 last year.

“Last year Indonesia held an extraordinary presidency of the G20. President Jokowi had been able to lead the G20 successfully and surely this year Indonesia will be successful to chair ASEAN too,” said Hourn.

Meanwhile, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Thailand to ASEAN Urawadee Sriphiromya who attended the event admitted that he was very impressed with the opening ceremony regarding that President Jokowi can directly get along with the public.

“This is a very modest and meaningful way to initiate ASEAN leadership by Indonesia,” Sriphiromya said.

Furthermore, Sriphiromya asserted that Indonesia will be successful in holding the 2023 ASEAN chairmanship due to Indonesia’s excellent leadership. In addition, he continued, the theme for ASEAN this year is very meaningful as it described the priorities of ASEAN countries.

“I think this theme is very meaningful, ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth. This reflects all the priorities of ASEAN countries and we will support Indonesia,” he added. (BPMI/FID/UN) (EST/HD/LW)