Jakarta, September 5, 2023 – President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo emphasized that while assuming chairman of ASEAN 2023, Indonesia prioritizes and respects the value of equality among countries in Southeast Asia (ASEAN).
According to the President, the implementation of the value of equality is a key factor to strengthen the unity in the region. Members of ASEAN must continue to walk together in facing any global challenge.
“Equality has become a rarity in the world. Many injustices and conflicts occur as a result of inequality,” said President Joko Widodo in his remarks at the 43rd ASEAN Summit 2023 Opening Ceremony at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC), Jakarta, Tuesday (September 5, 2023).
President Jokowi also stressed that the unity in ASEAN is still well-maintained.
However, Unity, said the President, does not equal the absence of differences in opinions. As a country with an abundance of ethnic groups, cultures, languages, and religions, \ Indonesia considers unity as harmony in diversity, including differences in opinions.
“Because differences in opinions enrich democracy. It shows that as a family, we have an equal position,” said President Jokowi.
Equality in ASEAN, instead, is the main value to be respected and embraced within the framework of unity and togetherness.
On that occasion, President of the Republic of Indonesia again emphasized and acknowledged that the world is not in a good condition. Future challenges are increasingly getting heavier and resulting in competition for influence of major powers.
However, President continued, ASEAN has agreed not to become a proxy for any power. ASEAN, under Indonesia’s chairmanship, cooperates with any countries for peace and prosperity.
“Do not make our ship, ASEAN, an arena of destructive rivalry, but make the ASEAN ship a field to foster cooperation. This is to create prosperity, stability, and peace, not only for the region but also for the world,” added the Head of State.
The 43rd ASEAN Summit 2023 Opening Ceremony
The ceremony of the 43rd ASEAN Summit and related summits opening began with the welcoming of ASEAN country and invited country leaders by President Joko Widodo and First Lady Iriana Jokowi. The leaders and their delegates then made their entry into the JCC Plenary Hall, where the opening ceremony took place.
The ASEAN anthem “The ASEAN Ways” sung by the Gitabumi Voices accompanied by music played by Purwa Caraka Orchestra then echoed in the room. The song was composed by Kittikhun Sodprasert, Sampow Triudom, and Payom Valaiphatchra.
Following the song performance, a dance depicting the unity and togetherness of ASEAN as a center of growth was performed by Aemove Dancers, followed by the performance of Gitabumi Voices singing the Epicentrum of Growth song.
President Joko Widodo then delivered an opening remark to officially open the 43rd ASEAN Summit and the series of related Summits.
ASEAN leaders along with Bangladesh as the Chair of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and the Cook Islands as the Chair of the Pacific Island Forum (PIF), then took the opportunity to have a group photo session with the ASEAN's signature "ASEAN-way" pose.
At the opening ceremony, the ASEAN Prize 2022 and 2023 awards were given by President Joko Widodo accompanied by ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn. The ASEAN Prize 2022 was awarded to Vietnamese Nguyen Thi Tuyet Minh and the ASEAN Prize 2023 was awarded to Muhammad Iqbal Fakhri bin Haji Damit from Brunei Darussalam.
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For further information, please contact the following:
Director for Information and Media at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Hartyo Harkomoyo (0811831899)
Get more information at http://asean2023.id, https://infopublik.id/kategori/asean-2023, and https://indonesia.go.id/kategori/ragam-asean-2023
Photo caption: Indonesian President Joko Widodo delivers his remarks during the Plenary Session of the 43rd ASEAN Summit at the Jakarta Convention Center, Jakarta, Tuesday (September 5, 2023). MEDIA CENTER of the ASEAN Summit 2023/Agung Rajasa/pras.