Indonesia Submits Documents For Cooperation In Combating Human Trafficking At The ASEAN Summit

JAKARTA - The government will carry out discussions on the eradication of human trafficking at the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) specifically emphasized the eradication of human trafficking related to online fraud or online scams.

"I propose this importantly and intentionally because the victims are ASEAN people and most of them are Indonesian citizens (Indonesian citizens, ed.)," said Jokowi in a press statement at the Meruorah Komodo Hotel, Labuan Bajo, Monday, May 8, which was confiscated by Antara.

The President said recently that the Indonesian government had succeeded in rescuing 20 Indonesian citizens who were victims of human trafficking from Myanmar.

"This is really something that is not easy because the location is in the conflict area," he said.

In addition, the President reminded that among 1,048 victims of human trafficking who were rescued by the Philippine authorities, there were 143 Indonesian citizens.

The Head of State emphasized that human trafficking crimes must be eradicated completely from upstream to downstream.

"I repeat, it must be eradicated completely so that in the summit later, cooperation documents for dealing with human trafficking will be adopted due to misuse of technology," said Jokowi.

The 42nd ASEAN Summit will take place in Labuan Bajo, Monday 9-11 May 2023.

The meeting was planned to be attended by a number of ASEAN state leaders who will discuss issues of common interest under the Chairmanship of Indonesia which raised the theme "ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth".

As one of the important discussions at the ASEAN 42nd Summit, high-ranking officials will discuss the draft Vision of ASEAN Post 2025 towards ASEAN 2045 which will be directed by ASEAN leaders.

The provision of direction is carried out so that the vision of ASEAN is visionary, inspiring, comprehensive, sturdy, and inclusive.

In addition, at this ASEAN Summit, ASEAN leaders are expected to ratify the ASEAN Leaders' Statement on the Development of the ASEAN Community's Post-2025 Vision.

Through the ratification of this statement, the process of drafting the ASEAN Post-2025 is expected to be strengthened and make the vision of ASEAN Post-2025 visionary, ambitious, adaptive, and strategic.