Image source: The ASEAN Secretariat

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) officially opened the 43rd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and its following events at the Jakarta Convention Center on Tuesday, September 5, 2023. 

The Summits are hosted in Jakarta from September 5 to 7, 2023, inviting 11 ASEAN member states to discuss matters concerning the well-being of the region. 

In the welcoming ceremony, Jokowi greeted the leaders of ASEAN countries and expressed that all Indonesians are very happy to welcome the presence of the country's leaders as a big ASEAN family. 

"I am sure not only Indonesia, but all ASEAN member countries have the same sense of pride and love for the family we call ASEAN," Jokowi said. 

At the Tuesday summit, ASEAN leaders adopted 11 documents. Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said that of the 11 documents, seven were directly related to improving the economy, developing the ASEAN community, and increasing development in the region. 

During the series of summits, President Jokowi is expected to lead 12 summits; these include the 3rd ASEAN-Australia Summit, the 45th ASEAN-Canada Summit, the 20th ASEAN-India Summit, and the 13th ASEAN-United Nations (UN) Summit. 

In addition to the 12 summit meetings, there will also be 13 bilateral meetings chaired by Indonesian President Jokowi. According to Minister Marsudi, there may be more bilateral meetings held during the three-day period. 

22 countries are expected to attend the summit in Jakarta, 11 of which are ASEAN countries. Unfortunately, Myanmar did not send a delegation, and Thailand only sent delegation leader Sarun Charoensuwan. 

The remaining countries are nine dialogue partners, namely South Korea, Japan, India, China, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Russia, and the United States. Furthermore, there are two other invited countries, namely Bangladesh and the Cook Islands. 

Nine international organizations that focus on economic issues is also attending the summit. They include the United Nations (UN), World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Economic Forum, ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO), and Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS). 

ASEAN often holds summits to align the interests of its member countries and achieve common goals. 

In contrast to the 42nd ASEAN Summit in May in Labuan Bajo, which only discussed internal ASEAN issues, the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta discussed the development and strengthening of ASEAN cooperation with external partners as well as important issues within and outside the region.