VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOInews, Jakarta: US Vice President Kamala Harris announced plans for the US and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to establish a US-ASEAN Center in Washington DC. She made the announcement at the opening of the 11th ASEAN-US Summit in Jakarta, Wednesday (6/9/2023).

"Today I am pleased to announce that through a public-private partnership, we will establish the first US-ASEAN Center in Washington DC," she said.

She explained that the facility will support ASEAN activities including further exchange of people and academic institutions.

"This center will facilitate official ASEAN interactions and support further exchanges between communities, businesses and academic institutions," she said.

She further said that as leaders, both ASEAN and the US must address current global challenges, while investing in a long-term vision. According to her, leaders must be able to look forward by measuring the steps taken today.

"The US and ASEAN share priority interests and long-term visions," she concluded. (VOI/Andy)

VOInews, Jakarta: ASEAN leaders welcomed Canada as a Strategic Partner at the 11th ASEAN-Canada Summit in Jakarta, Wednesday (6/9/2023). President Joko Widodo in his remarks said Canada is a strategic partner of ASEAN in building food security, downstream industry and open and fair trade in the region.

"Today, the partnership between ASEAN and Canada enters a new phase, namely as a Strategic Partner. Welcome to the ASEAN family, PM Trudeau. Hopefully, this will provide greater benefits for our people and the region," he said.

On that occasion, President Joko Widodo expressed hope that Canada could become an anchor of regional peace and stability.

"Who obeys international law and encourages more concrete and inclusive cooperation, especially in the Indo-Pacific region," he said.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi explained, the 11th ASEAN-Canada Summit officially established the ASEAN-Canada Strategic Partnership through the ratification of the Joint Leaders' Statement on ASEAN-Canada Strategic Partnership.

In addition, he said, the ASEAN-Canada Summit also adopted the ASEAN-Canada Joint Leaders' Statement on Strengthening Food Security and Nutrition in Response to Crises. (VOI/Andy)

VOINews, Jakarta – Indonesia arranged an exotic gala dinner for guests at the 43rd ASEAN Summit 2023 in Jakarta, on Wednesday, 6 September 2023.

Highlighting a green concept, the gala dinner was hosted in the Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) City Forest, located inside the GBK Senayan Stadium Complex.

The artificial forest, which originally covered 4.5 hectares of commercial space, came as another surprise during the 43rd ASEAN Summit 2023.

Over the past few days, dozens of workers have been busy with preparations, including building a bamboo canopy structure that spans several meters and resembles the roof of a traditional Sasak tribe house in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara.

This canopy serves as the entrance to the gala dinner venue. Thick red carpets, still wrapped in white plastic, were spread out just beneath this canopy to welcome the delegation guests. Upon entering the gala dinner area, a small hill surrounds an open stage (amphitheater). This small hill, replete with synthetic green grass, is an artificial construction built to accommodate more delegates of the 43rd ASEAN Summit 2023.

There are access points, including eight stairs and a special sloping path for people with disabilities to reach the hill. On this hill, dozens of round tables have been arranged, each with a diameter of approximately 1.6 meters. There are eight gray chairs surrounding each table, spaced roughly 25–35 centimeters apart.

Eight large white plates have also been neatly arranged. Several other rectangular tables are arranged on the edge of the hill, facing directly towards the amphitheater. Meanwhile, at the front of the open stage, several round tables surrounded by eight chairs have been set up, each with white plates.

All tables and chairs, whether located on the small hill or in front of the open stage, are covered with special plastic. The open stage, measuring approximately 50 meters by 30 meters, becomes the center of attention for the gala dinner participants. Here, a variety of art performances and music entertainment by several artists will be presented.

Right behind the stage, numerous skyscrapers in the Sudirman Central Business District (SCBD) area can be seen, which is located across from the GBK City Forest. These buildings act as giant screens for video mapping performances during the gala dinner. In addition, the event organizers have covered the surrounding fence of the GBK City Forest with thousands of giant vines, giving the impression that you are in the middle of a forest.

The police have also closed the access to Jl Jenderal Sudirman from the Semanggi Bridge towards the Senayan Roundabout from 4 p.m. until the conclusion of the gala dinner event. The Jakarta Provincial Government has requested companies surrounding the Sudirman area to implement a Work From Home (WFH) policy for their employees on 5—7 September 2023.

During the 42nd ASEAN Summit 2023 in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara, on 9—11 May 2023, President Joko “Jokowi Widodo invited all ASEAN leaders and heads of state to enjoy the sunset from a pinisi sailing ship in the waters of Flores Sea.

The pinisi is a traditional sailing ship characteristic of the Bugis tribe, one of the indigenous people of South Sulawesi, which has two main masts and seven sails; three in front, two in the middle, and two at the rear. This ship is often used to transport goods between islands. The event of enjoying the sunset while sailing on a pinisi made a deep impression on the leaders of ASEAN member states. (VOI)

VOINews, Jakarta - The Republic of Korea has always been a partner of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), particularly in the areas of energy transition and digital transformation.

Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo affirmed this during the opening of the 24th ASEAN-Republic of Korea Summit at the Jakarta Convention Center in Jakarta on Wednesday, September 6, 2023.

President Joko Widodo stated that the Southeast Asian countries have gained substantial knowledge from the Republic of Korea’s commitment to reducing dependence on fossil fuels and replacing them with renewable energy.

“ASEAN’s dependence on 78% of fossil energy sources must be reduced,” said the President.

In his remarks, President Joko Widodo also emphasized that the digital transformation implementation must be able to boost economic growth in the region. The support of rapidly evolving technology in the coming years is crucial to improve the quality and capacity of society.

“At the same time, in the next decade, the digital economy in ASEAN is estimated to contribute US$ 1 trillion to the region's GDP,” President Joko Widodo said. Nevertheless, the President noted that adopting energy transition and digital transformation requires considerable investment.

There are many technology transfers that must be carried out by each ASEAN country.

“Hence, collaboration and partnership are needed to make it a reality,” he said. President Joko Widodo also appreciated the Republic of Korea's support for the ASEAN-Indo-Pacific Forum. The support signifies a tangible commitment to inclusive cooperation in maintaining stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. A better future can be achieved through this forum.

“It can be achieved if regional stability is maintained, if tensions and rivalries are reduced, if strategic trust is strengthened, and if the habit of cooperation is enhanced,” said President Joko Widodo.

President Joko Widodo chaired the entire series of meetings on the second day of the 43rd ASEAN Summit held at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC). He also chaired the 26th ASEAN-China Summit attended by leaders of ASEAN countries together with the Prime Minister of the People's Republic of China Li Qiang.

Additionally, President Joko Widodo chaired the 26th ASEAN-Japan Summit alongside the Prime Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida. In addition, President Joko Widodo and the ASEAN leaders participated in the 26th ASEAN Plus Three (APT) Summit. The meeting, held in Cendrawasih 3 Room of JCC, was attended by the leaders of the People’s Republic of China, the Republic of Korea, and Japan.

President Joko Widodo also chaired the ASEAN-Canada Summit, attended by ASEAN leaders and the Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau, followed by the ASEAN-United States Summit.

In the evening, President Joko Widodo and First Lady Iriana, along with the leaders of other countries and their spouses, will attend the gala dinner of the 43rd ASEAN Summit. (VOI)