Jokowi Cycling At The HI Roundabout: Indonesian Spirit As Chair Of ASEAN 2023

Jokowi cycles at the HI Roundabout/ Photo: Antara

JAKARTA - Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) rides a bicycle to the Hotel Indonesia (HI) roundabout, Jakarta, Sunday 29 January. This activity symbolically began with Indonesia's chairmanship in ASEAN in 2023.

Jokowi, who wore a green "bomber" jacket, white long-sleeved shirt, hat and trousers, was accompanied by a number of ministers, including Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, Minister of SOEs Erick Thohir, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, and Minister of PUPR Basuki Hadimuljono.

After cycling, Jokowi got off at MH Thamrin Street, then took off his jacket and walked to the HI Roundabout. You can see the ambassadors of friendly countries welcoming Jokowi. Then Jokowi and his entourage walked together to the location of the event "Kick Off ASEAN Indonesia Chairship 2023".

Jokowi also greeted the people who were present along the road. Jokowi's presence was also accompanied by a parade of band marching and traditional costume parades. Arriving at the event location, the Head of State was also greeted by thousands of people in the DKI Jakarta area.

In his remarks, Jokowi said that Indonesia had carried out the G20 Presidency well in 2022. In 2023, Jokowi continued, Indonesia will become the Chair of ASEAN in the midst of a very difficult global situation.

"Economic crisis, energy crisis, food crisis, all, war, everything is going on," he said.

However, Jokowi believes ASEAN is still important and is still relevant to the people, region and all. Jokowi said ASEAN would continue to contribute to the Indo Pacific region and maintain economic growth in the region.

ASEAN will continue to contribute to peace and stability in IndoPacific. ASEAN will continue to be able to maintain economic growth and ASEAN matters of the epicenter of growth," said Jokowi.

Indonesia has started its responsibility as Chair of ASEAN 2023 since President Jokowi received a hammer to sign the handover of chairmanship from Cambodia at the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits at Phnom Penh, Cambodia, November 14, 2022.