The First Meeting of the Group of East Asia Summit (EAS) Participating Countries’ Ambassadors to ASEAN in Jakarta (EAS Group) was held today at the ASEAN Secretariat. The Meeting was chaired by H.E. Amb. Bovonethat Douangchak, Permanent Representative of the Lao PDR to ASEAN, attended by Permanent Representatives/Ambassadors of EAS participating countries to ASEAN, Timor-Leste as Observer, and Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for Political-Security Community, H.E. Dato’ Astanah Abdul Aziz. The EAS participating countries expressed their commitment to further strengthening the EAS process and enhancing practical cooperation under the EAS Plan of Action 2024-2028. The meeting also covered regional development cooperation initiatives and security policies and initiatives.

During the closing ceremony of the 43rd ASEAN Summit, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo Thursday (09/07) at the Jakarta Convention Center, Jakarta, officially handed over the baton of the ASEAN chairmanship to Prime Minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic Sonexay Siphandone, marking the end of Indonesia’s ASEAN chairmanship.

“I officially close the 43rd ASEAN Summit and Related Summits. I invite His Excellency Sonexay Siphandone, Prime Minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, to continue the ASEAN chairmanship in 2024,” the President said.

According to the President, the three-day ASEAN Summit held from September 5-7, produced 90 documents and several concrete agreements with partner countries.

Throughout the series of meetings, he said, the leaders of ASEAN countries, partner countries, international organizations, and other delegations showed optimism and positive energy.

“Their responses strengthen hope and spirits to continuously make endeavors to build a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region,” he stated.

On that occasion, the President also expressed his appreciation to all leaders and guests in attendance at the 12 summits that constituted the 43rd ASEAN Summit series.

He also extended his gratitude to the leaders for their support for Indonesia’s chairmanship this year.

“Let’s continue to strengthen collaboration and cooperation for a peaceful and prosperous ASEAN, and make the world a better place for all,” he emphasized.

After the handover of ASEAN’s chairmanship, Indonesia will still continue to fulfill its responsibilities as the ASEAN Chair until the end of this year before officially passing the role to Laos next year.

In the series of meetings, President Jokowi chaired 12 sessions, including the 43rd ASEAN Summit in plenary and retreat formats, the 26th ASEAN-China Summit, the 24th ASEAN-Republic of Korea Summit, the 26th ASEAN-Japan Summit, and the 11th ASEAN-United States Summit.

The President also chaired the ASEAN-Canada Summit, the 26th ASEAN Plus Three Summit, the 20th ASEAN-India Summit, the 3rd ASEAN-Australia Summit, the 18th East Asia Summit, and the 13th ASEAN-United Nations Summit.

Apart from that, the President attended as well several related agendas, including the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit and the ASEAN-Indo-Pacific Forum (AIPF).

For the record, the 43rd ASEAN Summit and Related Summits were also attended by several leaders of partner countries and international organizations, including Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau, Premier of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) Li Qiang, President of the Republic of Korea Yoon Suk Yeol, Prime Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida, Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese, and Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi.

Other leaders in attendance were Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea James Marape.

In this year’s ASEAN Summit, Indonesia also invited President of Bangladesh Mohammed Shahabuddin as Chair of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and Prime Minister of the Cook Islands Mark Brown as Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF). Their attendance reflected Indonesia’s role as the Chair of ASEAN in promoting inclusive cooperation within the Indo-Pacific region.

Source: Cabinet Secretariat of the Republic of Indonesia

Original publication date: 7 September 2023

Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr. Kim Kao Hourn today led the ASEAN Secretariat team to attend the 18th East Asia Summit (EAS) in Jakarta. The EAS countries expressed their commitment to further strengthen the EAS as a Leaders-led forum for dialogue and cooperation on broad strategic, political, and economic issues of common interest and concern. The Meeting adopted the EAS Leaders’ Statement on Maintaining and Promoting the Region as an Epicentrum of Growth and exchanged views on a wide range of regional and international issues. The Meeting also reviewed the implementation of the EAS Plan of Action (POA) 2018-2022 and welcomed the adoption of the new EAS POA for the next five years.

The East Asia Summit (EAS) Senior Officials’ Meeting was convened on 3 August 2023 in Bali, Indonesia and attended by the SOM Leaders/Representatives of all EAS participating countries, Timor-Leste as observer, and the Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Political-Security Community. The meeting’s plenary session reviewed the work of the EAS in 2023 and EAS cooperation including initiatives to implement the ASEAN Outlook in the Indo-Pacific (AOIP). Meanwhile, the meeting’s retreat session discussed substantive preparations for the 18^th East Asia Summit in September and exchanged views on regional and international issues to support ASEAN as an epicentrum of growth.

The Third East Asia Summit (EAS) Ambassadors’ Meeting in Jakarta (3/2023 EAMJ) was held on 31 July 2023 in Bali. The meeting reviewed the progress in the implementation of the EAS Plan of Action 2018-2022, discussed preparations for the 18th East Asia Summit in September, and exchanged information on regional development cooperation initiatives and security policies and initiatives.

In attendance were the Ambassadors of EAS participating countries or their representatives, Timor-Leste as Observer, and the ASEAN Secretariat delegation led by the Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Political-Security Community.

Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr Kao Kim Hourn attended the 13^th East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting which took place today in Jakarta. The meeting reaffirmed the commitment to further strengthen the EAS as a Leaders-led forum for dialogue and cooperation on broad strategic, political, and economic issues of common interest and concern. The meeting reviewed the progress of the implementation of the EAS Plan of Action 2018-2022 and discussed future direction of EAS cooperation. The meeting also exchanged views on a wide range of regional and international issues.

The Second East Asia Summit (EAS) Ambassadors’ Meeting in Jakarta (2/2023 EAMJ) and EAS Ambassadors in Jakarta’s Retreat were convened on 23 May 2023 in Bandung, West Java. The meetings were chaired by Chair of the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN and concurrently Chair of the EAMJ Ambassador Derry Aman. In attendance were the Permanent Representatives and Ambassadors of EAS participating countries to ASEAN, representatives from Timor-Leste as observer, and a delegation from the ASEAN Secretariat. The meetings discussed the progress of EAS cooperation and exchanged information on regional development cooperation initiatives and security policies and initiatives.

The East Asia Summit Senior Officials’ Meeting (EAS SOM) was convened on 8 March 2023 at the ASEAN Secretariat. The Meeting was chaired by Sidharto Reza Suryodipuro, SOM Leader of Indonesia, and attended by SOM Leaders of EAS participating countries, Timor-Leste as Observer, and the ASEAN Secretariat.

Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr. Kao Kim Hourn delivered his remarks at the opening session of the First East Asia Summit (EAS) Ambassadors’ Meeting in Jakarta at the ASEAN Secretariat today.

Prior to the closing ceremony of the 40^th and 41^st ASEAN Summits and Related Summits, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen handed over a hammer to President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo as a symbolic handover of ASEAN presidency from Cambodia to Indonesia.

“Indonesia is honored to be the Chair of ASEAN in 2023. The chairmanship of Indonesia will adopt the theme ‘ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth,” President Jokowi said at Sokha Hotel, Phnom Penh, Sunday (11/13).

The Head of State also stated that ASEAN must be a stable and peaceful region and become an anchor for global stability as well as enforce international law consistently and remain neutral.

“ASEAN must be a dignified region and uphold humanity values ​​and democracy,” the President said.

On the occasion, the President also expected ASEAN to become a fast-growing, inclusive, and sustainable economic region. By strengthening its institutional capacity and effectiveness, he expected ASEAN can face even more difficulties in the coming 20 years.

“All of difficulties must be tackled in the ASEAN way, which is consistent with the spirit of cooperation and entirely implement the ASEAN Charter,” he stated.

In addition, President Jokowi invited the attending ASEAN leaders to attend the ASEAN Summit in Indonesia next year.

“I look forward to Your Excellencies’ presence in Indonesia next year,” he remarked.

Source: Cabinet Secretariat of the Republic of Indonesia

Original publication date: 13 November 2022