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Jokowi kicks off Indonesia’s ASEAN chairmanship with parade
In a possible nod to his humble beginnings, the President and several ministers cycled to the iconic Sarinah building before joining a street parade to the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle, where he delivered a speech on Indonesia’s focus as the 2023 ASEAN chair.
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People pose with the newly set up logo of the ASEAN, as Indonesia officially assumes the group's chairmanship following a ceremony in Jakarta on January 29, 2023.
(AFP/Goh Chai Hin)
P
resident Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on Sunday kicked off Indonesia’s 2023 ASEAN chairmanship, which is to focus on championing the regional group as a peace broker the Indo-Pacific as well as on spurring economic growth amid challenges both regional and global.
Cloudy weather and light rain in the morning did not dampen Jokowi’s parade in Central Jakarta, and hundreds of Jakartans enjoying the weekly Car Free Day stopped by to watch.
Jokowi, accompanied by Foreign Minister Retno L.P. Marsudi and several other Cabinet members, departed from the State Palace on bicycles and stopped at the Sarinah building to greet dozens of foreign diplomats. The President and his entourage then joined a march featuring a drumming troupe and flag bearers that traveled from Sarinah to a stage at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle.
“This year, Indonesia has become the ASEAN chair during a very difficult global situation,” Jokowi said in his opening speech, referring to the food and energy crisis across the world as well as the threat of a global economic recession.
“However, I believe that ASEAN is still important and relevant for the people, for the region and for the world,” the President said. “This morning, I hereby officially kick off [Indonesia’s] 2023 ASEAN chairmanship.”
Jokowi said Indonesia’s chairmanship would focus on maintaining peace amid the warming tensions in the Indo-Pacific and establishing Southeast Asia as an “epicentrum” for economic growth.
Despite the unfavorable global situation and instability wrought by geopolitical tensions, “we must be optimistic”, Jokowi told reporters after the event. “As ASEAN chair, we must foster optimism.”
