Going To Rome To Attend The G20 Summit, Jokowi: First Bilateral Visit During A Pandemic

President Joko Widodo (Photo: Twitter @jokowi)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) left for Rome, Italy to attend the G20 Summit (Summit) today or Friday, October 29.

Jokowi departed from Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Tangerang by using a Garuda Indonesia (GIA-1) aircraft at 09.15 a.m. Before leaving, he said this was his first bilateral visit in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and would be used to strengthen cooperation.

"This is my first bilateral visit during the pandemic. I will use this visit to strengthen cooperation, especially in the fields of trade and investment," Jokowi said as quoted from an official statement from the Press, Media, and Information Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat on Friday, October 29.

This visit to Rome is the initial series of President's working visits to three countries. Besides Italy, the former Governor of DKI Jakarta is also scheduled to visit the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates.

Later, in Rome, President Jokowi will participate in the G20 Summit which will be held on October 30-31. While in Glasgow, United Kingdom, the President will participate in the COP26 World Leaders Summit held on 1-2 November and continue his bilateral visit to the United Arab Emirates.

On the way to Rome, President Jokowi and his entourage will take a flight to Rome for approximately 13 hours. The President is expected to arrive at Fiumicino Airport, Rome, at 17.25 p.m. Local Time (WS) and will go directly to the hotel where he is staying the night while in Rome, Italy.

Also accompanying the President on the flight to Rome, Italy, were Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto, Minister of SOEs Erick Thohir, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Head of the Presidential Secretariat Heru Budi Hartono, Military Secretary Marsda National Armed Force (TNI) M. Tonny Harjono, Director General of Protocol and Consular Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. State/Head of State Protocol Andy Rachmianto, Commander of Paspampres Maj. Gen. Tri Budi Utomo, and Deputy for Protocol, Press, and Media of the Presidential Secretariat Bey Machmudin.

Appearing to be releasing the President at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport were Vice President Ma'ruf Amin, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, Army Chief of Staff General TNI Andika Perkasa, and Banten Governor Wahidin Halim.