VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOInews, Jakarta: Indonesian President Joko Widodo said every ASEAN leader and partner country attending the 43rd ASEAN 2023 Summit has the same responsibility not to create new conflicts and tensions. He also invited ASEAN leaders to participate in defusing conflicts that are heating up in the global arena by creating space for dialog.

"And at the same time, we also have the responsibility to reduce the hot tension to melt the frozen atmosphere to create a space for dialogue," President Joko Widodo said in a press statement delivered after the Closing Ceremony of the 43rd ASEAN Summit, in Jakarta, Thursday (7/9/2023).

President Joko Widodo also said that the world needs an anchor that serves as a mediator in the current global situation.

"I assure you that this world will be destroyed if conflicts and tensions in one place are brought and made into a tug of war in another place. If we are not able to manage differences, we will be destroyed. If we get carried away by rivalry, we will be destroyed. This world needs an anchor, needs a neutralizer, needs a safe house," he continued.

In addition, ASEAN as part of the Asia Pacific region continues to work hard, collaborate, and invite all parties to maintain regional peace and stability. Indonesia and ASEAN continue to voice the interests of Pacific countries, the interests of developing countries, including the right to prosper their people through industrial downstreaming. (VOI/Ranov)

VOINews, Jakarta - Indonesian President Joko Widodo officially closed the 43rd ASEAN 2023 Summit in Jakarta, Thursday (7/9/2023). In his speech, he appreciated the summit participants who he considered to provide positive energy and strengthen hope.

"I can honestly say, this (optimism and positive energy from participants) strengthens hope. This strengthens the spirit to continue the struggle to create (Southeast Asia) a peaceful region, a stable region, and a prosperous region," he said.

The President invited ASEAN member states to make the Indo-Pacific region a place of peace and inclusiveness. Thus, the essence built by Indonesia to make ASEAN the epicenter of growth can be realized. However, he said that ASEAN's task to realize it was still unfinished.

"We will continue to face various dynamics and complexity of global challenges. For that we must work together to navigate challenges into opportunities, navigate rivalry into collaboration, navigate exclusivity into inclusiveness, and navigate differences into unity," he continued.

In his speech, President Joko Widodo expressed his gratitude for the support for Indonesia's chairmanship of ASEAN this year. He also handed over the ASEAN chairmanship to Laos, which will assume its duties in 2024. On that occasion, Laos was represented by Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone. (VOI/Rama)

VOINews, Jakarta - Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has announced that the 43rd ASEAN Summit succeeded in agreeing on the development of an end-to-end electric vehicle ecosystem which was fully supported by China, Japan and South Korea.

"Alhamdulillah (thank God), we have reached an agreement in the development of an end-to-end EV ecosystem that is fully supported by China, Japan, and Korea," he said at a press conference on the summit in Jakarta on Thursday.

Indonesia, as the host of the summit, and other ASEAN countries continued to promote the interests of developing countries and countries in the Pacific, including the right to make the people prosper through industrial downstreaming, he emphasized.

Jokowi said that ASEAN, as a part of the Asia-Pacific region, is continuing to work hard, collaborate, and invite all parties to maintain regional peace and stability.

He informed that he will share Indonesia's perspective on the interests of developing countries, including economic inclusivity, and the right to implement industrial downstreaming, at the G20 Summit in India on September 9-10, 2023.

Earlier, at the ASEAN Plus Three (APT) Summit with China, Japan, and South Korea on Wednesday (September 6), President Widodo said that the development of the green economy could be one of the priorities of cooperation between ASEAN and the three countries in the future.

The 43rd ASEAN Summit and Related Summits were held from September 5 to 7 and were attended by eight ASEAN dialogue partners, namely Japan, China, South Korea, Australia, Canada, the US, Russia, and India.

In addition, Bangladesh, which is chairing the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), and the Cook Islands, which is leading the Pacific Island Forum (PIF), were invited.

The 43rd ASEAN Summit and Related Summits were held under Indonesia's ASEAN chairmanship this year themed "ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth." (Antaranews)

VOINews, Jakarta - Makassar City, South Sulawesi, will host the ASEAN High-Level Forum (AHLF) on Disability-Inclusive Development and Partnership Beyond 2025 from October 9 to 13, 2023.

Makassar Mayor Moh Ramdhan Pomanto said here on Thursday that he welcomed all international events scheduled in Makassar.

"We welcome every activity that will be held in Makassar city and will always give a good impression to the guests," he added.

Indonesia is holding the 2023 ASEAN chairmanship with a focus on finding ways to strengthen ASEAN and make it a fast-growing, inclusive, and sustainable economic region.

Pomanto said his administration will carry out preparations to ensure the event runs smoothly and leaves attending delegates with a good impression.

According to him, Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini has inspected the venue for the event. He said that his side will improve several facilities to make the venue disabled-friendly.

The AHLF on Disability-Inclusive Development and Partnership Beyond 2025 will be held at the center for social rehabilitation and protection Sentra Wirajaya Makassar.

"There is a lot we are working on, from parks to toilets because we want them to be disability-friendly," he said.

Makassar has hosted several international events this year, including the Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo (MNEK) in June, which was joined by 35 countries, he noted.

He said the city also hosted the Makassar International Eight Festival and Forum (F8) and the ASEAN Architect Congress.

"This year, we have hosted many national and international activities," he added.

The AHLF on Disability-Inclusive Development and Partnership Beyond 2025 will be attended by ASEAN Social Welfare and Development Ministers, ASEAN sector bodies, organizations of persons with disabilities, the ASEAN Studies Center, disability study centers of Indonesian universities, and the private sector.

The forum aims to identify the region's challenges in strengthening disability-inclusive development and discuss concrete recommendations and action plans to accelerate the implementation of the ASEAN Enabling Masterplan 2025. (Antaranews)