Vice President Ma'ruf Amin made the statement on behalf of the head of state while leading the Indonesian delegation in Vientiane on Wednesday.
"I would like to convey greetings from President Jokowi, who could not join us here due to some official matters that need to be dealt with ahead of the end of his presidency on October 20," he remarked during the Plenary Session of the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits.
Amin underscored that the summits would be the last of their kind to be attended by President Jokowi's aides.
He remarked that Indonesia will soon transition to a new administration led by President-elect Prabowo Subianto and Vice President-elect Gibran Rakabuming Raka.
In his speech, the vice president also extended Indonesia's appreciation to all ASEAN member states for their support and cooperation with the country during its ASEAN chairmanship last year.
Before the plenary session, Laotian Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone and his spouse personally welcomed the participating heads of state and government, including VP Amin, who came with Second Lady Wury.
Related news: Indonesia highlights ASEAN's political, security challenges
Among the leaders joining the high-level meetings are Sultan of Brunei Darussalam Hassanal Bolkiah, Cambodian Prime Minister (PM) Hun Manet, Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim, President of the Philippines Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Singaporean PM Lawrence Wong, and Thai PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
The summits also draw participation from Vietnamese PM Pham Minh Chinh, PM of Timor-Leste Xanana Gusmao, South Korean President Yoon Suk-Yeol, and ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn.
Laos raises "Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience" as the grand theme of its 2024 ASEAN chairmanship.
This year's ASEAN Summits are set to focus on several issues, including economic integration, an inclusive and sustainable future, digital transformation, and the roles of ASEAN's culture and arts in inclusion and sustainability.
Furthermore, participating delegates will also touch upon strategic plans for the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, ASEAN's centrality, resilience against climate change, the roles of women and children in ASEAN's transformation, and resilience in the health sector.
Related news: RI FM spotlights greater solidarity, integration between ASEAN nations
Translator: Mentari D, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
Copyright © ANTARA 2024
