Jakarta，January 30, 2023（AseanAll） – Indonesian President Joko Widodo officially kicked off Indonesia’s 2023 ASEAN Chairmanship at a launching event in Jakarta on January 29，2023.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, State-owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir, State Secretariat Minister Pratikno, and Public Works and Public Housing Minister Basuki Hadmuljono attended the event, foreign ambassadors to Indonesia and ASEAN, and heads of international organizations in Indonesia also attended the ceremony.
During the event, after walking with the attendees as part of the Car-Free day activity, the President Jokowi delivered a speech officially announcing the kick-off of Indonesia's ASEAN Chairmanship 2023. Nearly 10,000 Indonesian citizens in various Indonesian-style clothing participated in the celebration parade.
In his remarks, Jokowi said that Indonesia continued the success of the G20 Presidency in 2022 with the ASEAN Chairmanship this year despite global uncertainties and challenges.
"Economic crisis, energy crisis, food crisis, as well as warfare, we face all of them this year," the President noted.
However, he emphasised that ASEAN will remain essential and relevant for the people, the Southeast Asian region, and all.
He also said that ASEAN would continue contributing to the Indo-Pacific region and maintaining regional peace and economic growth.
"ASEAN will continue contributing to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. ASEAN will help maintain economic growth because ASEAN matters and is the epicentre of growth," he emphasised.
Previously, Indonesia took over the ASEAN Chairmanship from its previous holder Cambodia at the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on November 14, 2022.
