Our bond is very strong and (maintaining) its unity is very important (for us) to sail towards the same goal, which is making ASEAN the epicentrum of growth as well as a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region.
Labuan Bajo, NTT (ANTARA) - The side activity of the 42nd ASEAN Summit, held aboard a pinisi ship on Wednesday, depicted the collaborations among ASEAN member countries that were relaxed and replete with kinship, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) stated.

"(It is) because ASEAN member countries are one family,” he remarked at the closing press conference of the 42nd ASEAN Summit here on Thursday.

The Indonesian president spoke of having invited the leaders of ASEAN member countries to sail aboard a pinisi ship on Wednesday (May 10, 2023) to strengthen kinship among members of the regional organization.

“Our bond is very strong and (maintaining) its unity is very important (for us) to sail towards the same goal, which is making ASEAN the epicentrum of growth as well as a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region," he noted.

Jokowi said that the relaxed atmosphere suffused with kinship during the interactions among delegates aboard the pinisi ship aligned with Indonesia's aspirations as the 2023 ASEAN chair.

"Indonesia expects to see ASEAN become a strong organization that is capable of solving challenges, being responsive to (global) dynamics, and still playing a central role in the region," he affirmed.

On Wednesday, President Jokowi and First Lady Iriana along with heads of states and first ladies of other ASEAN member countries as well as several invited delegates spent their evening aboard a pinisi ship and enjoyed the views of the sunset in Labuan Bajo.

Pinisi ship is an Indonesian traditional sailing vessel originating from South Sulawesi.

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The series of meetings during the 42nd ASEAN Summit held in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai District, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Province, from May 9 to May 11, 2023, produced at least 11 documents.

The documents include the ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on Combating Trafficking in Persons Caused by The Abuse of Technology; ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on Developing Regional Electric Vehicle Ecosystem; as well as the ASEAN Declaration on The Placement and Protection of Migrant Fishers.

Furthermore, ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on Advancing Regional Payment Connectivity and Promoting Local Currency Transaction; ASEAN Declaration on The Protection of Migrant Workers and Family Members in Crisis Situations; as well as ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on One Health Initiative were adopted in the meetings.

The meetings also generated the ASEAN Leaders’ Joint Statement on The Establishment of an ASEAN Villages Network; ASEAN Leaders’ Statement on The Development of The ASEAN Community’s Post-2025 Vision; as well as ASEAN Leaders’ Statement on Strengthening ASEAN’s Capacity and Institutional Effectiveness.

In addition, the other documents were the ASEAN Leaders’ Statement on the Recent Attack on a Convoy of the ASEAN Coordinating Center for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Management (AHA Centre) and ASEAN Monitoring Team in Myanmar as well as the Chairman’s Statement of the 42nd ASEAN Summit.

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Translator: Gilang Galiartha, Uyu Liman
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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