Representatives from 22 countries to attend ASEAN Summit in Jakarta

Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: The 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta from September 5–7, 2023, will be attended by representatives from 22 countries and 9 international bodies, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi informed on Monday.

Speaking at a press conference in Jakarta, Marsudi said that the 22 countries comprise 11 ASEAN members, including Timor Leste, which will be represented by Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, and 9 ASEAN dialogue partners as well as member countries of the East Asia Summit (EAS).

The ASEAN partners and EAS member countries that will join the forum are South Korea, Japan, India, China, Australia, Canada, Russia, and the United States.

Representatives from several international bodies like the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), and United Nations (UN) will also join the summit.

“Secretary General of the UN (Antonio Guterres) will lead the UN delegation,” Marsudi added, according to a transcript received from the ministry here on Monday.

During the three-day-forum, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) will lead 12 meetings. He is also expected to hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit.

Besides the 43rd ASEAN Summit, the President will also lead the summit between ASEAN and its dialogue partners.

On September 6, Widodo will hold six meetings: the 26th ASEAN-China Summit; 24th ASEAN-Republic of Korea (ROK/South Korea) Summit; 26th ASEAN-Japan Summit; 11th ASEAN-US Summit; ASEAN-Canada Summit; and the 26th ASEAN Plus Three (APT) Summit.

On the last day of the summit, he will lead four meetings with ASEAN and its external partners — India, Australia, the UN, and members of the East Asia Summit.

Marsudi said that all documents, which are expected to be adopted by the leaders at the summit, are currently being prepared through negotiations.