JAKARTA. President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has said Indonesia will highlight its concerns for the establishment of stronger partnerships for peace and prosperity during the upcoming ASEAN-US Summit.
Speaking at a press conference before he departed for the US to attend the ASEAN-US Summit that will be held in Sunnylands, California on Feb.15-16, Jokowi said both ASEAN and the US had an obligation to bring peace and stability to the region and the world.
"The ASEAN-US partnership should bring balanced benefits for the welfare of the peoples of ASEAN and the US", said Jokowi as quoted from a statement received by thejakartapost.com on Sunday.
In the summit, Jokowi is scheduled to lead a discussion session on terrorism. The President said Indonesia would also address the importance of community involvement, including through social media, in the fight against terrorism.
"I will use this opportunity to share our experiences as the largest Muslim-majority country in the world in building tolerance, preventing radicalization and combating terrorism", he said.
In terms of welfare, he continued, Indonesia would encourage the enhancement of economic cooperation in the field of small and medium enterprises, entrepreneurship promotion and innovation, including the development of the digital economy. At the same time, Indonesia would enhance efforts to bring peace both to the region and the world.
"I will exchange views with leaders of ASEAN member countries and the US on peace-making efforts in the region," Jokowi told reporters.
After the ASEAN-US Summit, President Jokowi and his entourage will head to San Francisco, California, to deliver a keynote address at the US-ASEAN Business Council (US-ABC) meeting scheduled for Feb 17.
Apart from attending the US-ABC meeting, Jokowi will also visit Silicon Valley, the home to hundreds of start-ups and global technology companies.
"This opportunity will be used to meet with the CEOs of giant corporations in the field of information technology," he said, adding that he would also meet the Indonesian diaspora in San Francisco. (Ayomi Amindoni)
