Aneka Dishes Of The Sea Becomes The Main Suguhan For The 42nd ASEAN Summit 2023

Ahead of the ASEAN Summit, the Ministry of PUPR has increased several supporting facility infrastructures in the Labuan Bajo NTT area. (Doc. Ministry of PUPR)

JAKARTA - Various seafood will serve as a treat for the delegates of the 42nd ASEAN 2023 Summit, which will be held in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), on 9-11 May 2023.

Head of the Foreign Technical Cooperation Bureau of the Ministry of State Secretariat (Kemensetneg) Noviyanti said the dish dominated food offerings for delegates for representing Labuan Bajo as a well-known destination with the uniqueness of maritime resources, such as beaches and their small islands.

"The sea field will be processed by Chef Arnold Purnomo with his team. For the entertainment of performances for the delegates, we are still keeping it a secret because it will be a surprise factor," said Noviyanti in a written statement, quoted on Saturday, May 6.

Noviyanti said that the national committee would hold a special program, namely the SME's Hub with the support of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN), as well as local governments involving micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to peddle their products.

Later, there will be 50 exhibition booths at various points for the activity of the ASEAN 42nd Summit 2023 series. The details are 10 booths for selling food and the rest offer a variety of regional handicraft products.

"If the souvenir is specifically for delegates, it contains a woven scarf and batik. Anyway, it describes Indonesia as a whole. We hope that all elements can make this activity a success," said Noviyanti.

In order for the 42nd ASEAN 2023 Summit to be well published, his party has prepared a media center with a capacity of 300 people equipped with supporting facilities, such as mini studios, internet connections, and electricity support.

"We also prepare food logistics that can be enjoyed at any time and are free. We hope that the news that emerged from Labuan Bajo could support the area as Indonesia's mainstay tourist destination," said Noviyanti.

Meanwhile, Secretary of the Ministry of State Secretariat Setya Utama said that preparations for organizing the ASEAN Summit had reached 90 percent. The rest will be completed ahead of the implementation, for example beautifying the venue with various flowers.

"Indeed, we have experience organizing the G20 Summit last year, but each Summit has different challenges and this time we really pay attention to every detail through various rehearsals, so that the results can be as expected," he said.

Setya said that the national committee had prepared a tentative program since May 6, 2023, in which the ASEAN Community Permanent Representative delegates had started arriving and the day after that several meetings had already begun to be held in the Tana Mori area.

He added that there would be a Senior ASEAN Officials Meeting (SOM) and a day after that, ASEAN member countries leaders began arriving. In total, 13 leaders will attend. On May 9, a meeting will also be held by ASEAN foreign ministers and the day after that, on May 10, a summit will be held.

"We have prepared an opening plenary, and various meetings at the task force level. Then, after the meeting is over, the leaders will sail to Bidadari Island, then they will enjoy dinner at kontaya. On May 11, there will also be several meetings that we facilitate," said Setya.

Even so, Setya said, one of the challenges this time was the limited number of 4 and 5 star hotels in Labuan Bajo. Therefore, special strategies are needed in order to provide the best service for invited guests, namely delegations and foreign journalists, according to President Joko Widodo's advice in a limited meeting last April.

His party also shifted the location of the committee's inn from the beginning at a five-star hotel to a floating hotel, namely above KM Sinabung owned by PT Pelni (Persero) which has various facilities, such as 500 cabin rooms and internet and restaurant connections.

"Based on data, the number of delegates is 821 people and the media is 366 people. We provide the best service and must be successful and accountable. This ASEAN Summit must produce something for Indonesia and invited guests are also satisfied. Hopefully, the weather supports and our cooperation will be more compact from day to day," he added.