A performance at the closing ceremony of the 43rd ASEAN Summit and related summits. (Photo: VNA)Jakarta (VNA) – The 43rd ASEAN Summit andrelated summits wrapped up in Jakarta, Indonesia on September 7 afternoon.
In his speech at the closing session, Indonesian PresidentJoko Widodo called on ASEAN countries to develop the Indo-Pacific region into a "theatre of peace and inclusiveness".
President Joko Widodosaid that it will serve as an important foundation,opening a better future for the people of ASEAN and the world.
The Indonesian leaderemphasised that it is also the spirit of the 2023 ASEANChairmanship that Indonesia undertakes, with the theme "ASEAN Matters:Epicentrum of Growth."
The IndonesianPresident said ASEAN's big duties will not finish in only onechairmanship. ASEAN will continue to face the complexity ofglobal challenges.
Therefore, he called on ASEANcountries to hand in hand navigatethe challenges to be opportunities, navigate the rivalries to becollaborations, navigate exclusivity to be inclusivity, and navigatedifferences to be unity.
Laos Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone (right) receiving the baton of the ASEAN chairmanship from Indonesian President Joko Widodo (left) at the closing ceremony of the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta on September 7. (Photo: VNA)
Indonesia handed the ASEAN chairmanship for 2024 to Laos at the closingceremony.
For his part, LaoPrime Minister Sonexay Siphandone said that Laos willcontinue promote achievements that ASEAN made during the year Indonesia chaired ASEAN.
He emphasised that, as the rotating Chair of ASEAN in 2024, Laos willfocus on promoting connectivity, seeking cooperationopportunities, and solving challenges in a global changing geopolitical context.
The Lao PM affirmed that ASEAN needs to continue connectingto narrow the gap between member countries, promote dialogue, strengthen unitywithin the bloc, expand cooperation with partners as well as resolvedifferences to maintain peace, stability and development in the region.
Finally, the Lao leader pledged to cooperate in improving leadershipcapacity, strengthening unity to ensure peace, stability and development,promoting digital transformation and economic integration, and facilitating people-to-people exchanges andcooperation to combat climate change.
Founded in 1967, ASEANgroups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines,Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam./.
