Heru Budi Asks Central Government To Accommodate Aspirations Of ASEAN Regional Heads In MGMAC & AMF 2023

Acting Governor of DKI Heru Budi Hartono with Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi at MGMAC) and ASEAN Mayors Forum (AMF) 2023, Jakarta (Diah Ayu-VOI)

JAKARTA - Acting Governor of DKI Jakarta Heru Budi Hartono asked the central government, which this year holds ASEAN Chairship to accommodate the aspirations of regional head delegates in the 2023 Meeting of Governors and Mayors of ASEAN Capitals (MGMAC) & ASEAN Mayors Forum (AMF) forum.

This was expressed by Heru in his remarks at the opening of the MGMAC & AMF 2023 event as a series of ASEAN 2023 Summits (KTT).

"We ask that the government of the Republic of Indonesia as the holder of the Chairship of ASEAN this year is pleased to accept the aspirations of cities in ASEAN discussed in the MGMAC and AMF 2023," said Heru at the Fairmont Hotel, Central Jakarta, Tuesday, August 1.

Heru said, the city and regional governments in Southeast Asia that are members of this forum have the aim of supporting the sustainability of ASEAN relevance in responding to regional and global challenges, as well as strengthening ASEAN's position as the center of regional economic growth, for the prosperity of the ASEAN people and the world.

"We believe that sustainable urban development will support our common goal of strengthening ASEAN's position as the center of regional economic growth for the prosperity of the ASEAN people and the world," explained Heru.

MGMAC was first initiated by the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government during the 2013 leadership of Mr. Joko Widodo as Governor of DKI Jakarta.

Since then, the MGMAC has been held every year, rotating to follow ASEAN Chairship to channel the aspirations of the city and local governments to support the realization of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025.

The MGMAC & AMF 2023 will be held on August 1 and 2 in Jakarta. A total of 21 delegates from governors and mayors of ASEAN countries attended this event. Also present were Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and Secretary General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Sekjen ASEAN) Kao Kim Hour at this event.

After Heru Budi, Retno Marsudi, and Kao Kim Hour's remarks, the event was held with a plenary session entitled "ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth" with speakers from the Secretary General of the Ministry of Home Affairs Suhajar Diantoro, Director of Economic Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Berlianto Situngkir, and a number of ASEAN delegates.

Next, a panel discussion was held discussing 5 priority issues, ranging from inclusive economic growth, digital transformation, resilient cities and climate action, localization of sustainability B development goals, to sustainable mobility.

The MGMAC and AMF 2023 will continue on Wednesday, August 2, 2023. It is scheduled that all delegates will hold closed discussions and sign a joint declaration of the 2023 MGMAC and AMF. Next, the governors and mayors of ASEAN will inaugurate the ASEAN Park and tree planting in PTUL Park, South Jakarta.