Vietnam served as the host of the summit having 17 sessions, and the participants comprised Leaders of the ASEAN member countries and eight Leaders of ASEAN partners.
Jokowi is scheduled to join via conference call five sessions: the 37th ASEAN Plenary Summit, 23rd ASEAN Summit with China, 21st ASEAN Summit with South Korea, 23rd ASEAN Summit with Japan, and 17th ASEAN Summit with India.
The meetings will especially discuss joint measures to prevent the broader impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the region by giving due emphasis to the priority of cooperation in 2021, especially regarding the presence and production of vaccines for the region.
The summit will additionally discuss priorities for economic development in the region with partners to address the economic and social impacts of COVID-19.
Related news: 37th ASEAN Summit and related meetings commence
One of the initiatives to be proposed by Indonesia at this summit is an effort to build joint commitment with the ASEAN to immediately reopen connectivity and restore economic activity in the bloc through the ASEAN Travel Corridor Arrangement (TCA).
TCA is expected to facilitate travel access for businesspersons in ASEAN nations in the new normal scenario while continuing to adhere to health protocols.
"This summit is important to unite steps and gain future commitment from the Leaders of ASEAN partner countries to tackle the pandemic in a more structured manner, according to the required deadlines, so as to not further prolong the impact of an increasingly complex pandemic on the world and regional situation," Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi was quoted as saying on kemlu.go.id page.
Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, Minister Marsudi, and Indonesian Permanent Representative to ASEAN Ade Padmo Sarwono accompanied the president during the 37th ASEAN Summit virtually.
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Translator: Hanni Sofia, Fardah
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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