President Joko Widodo Attends ASEAN-Australia Special Summit Reception in Melbourne
Melbourne, The Gulf Observer: President Joko Widodo of Indonesia participated in a reception hosted by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as part of the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit agenda at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Center (MCEC) on Tuesday.
Upon his arrival at the ASEAN Leaders’ Arrival Hall, MCEC, at approximately 5:05 p.m. local time, President Widodo was warmly greeted by Prime Minister Albanese. The leaders were later joined by fellow state leaders for a group photo session, where President Widodo stood alongside Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone and Brunei Darussalam Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.
Following the photo session, Albanese, Widodo, and other state leaders witnessed a traditional performance of the indigenous people’s Smoking Ceremony, presented by Wurundjeri First Nation Elders.
Subsequently, President Widodo and his counterparts proceeded to the reception area, where discussions related to the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit agenda were anticipated. President Widodo expressed his intention to encourage talks on electric cars and digital transformation during the summit.
“I will encourage cooperation in electric vehicles to be implemented as soon as possible. Also, I think the direction is toward digital transformation,” President Widodo stated in a press statement before departing for Australia on March 4 at the Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base.
The President also highlighted plans to discuss defense cooperation with Prime Minister Albanese, an agenda that had been explored earlier by the defense ministers of both countries.
Accompanying President Widodo on his visit to Australia are Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, and Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Basuki Hadimuljono.
President Widodo’s participation in the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit underscores Indonesia’s commitment to regional cooperation and the strengthening of bilateral ties with Australia across various sectors. The discussions are poised to pave the way for enhanced collaboration and mutual understanding between the two nations.
