Opening of the ASEAN Capital Mayors Conference

At the initiative of the host country Indonesia, the Jakarta Government coordinated with the Secretariat of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to organize the ASEAN Governors/Mayors Conference in Jakarta on September 18-19.

The Vietnamese delegation attending the Conference was led by Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee, Nguyen Van Suu.

(Source: AFP)

In his opening speech at the Conference, Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo warmly welcomed the leaders of ASEAN capital city governments and appreciated their support for Indonesia's initiative to organize the Conference of Governors/Mayors of ASEAN Capital City Countries.

Governor Joko Widodo highlighted the significance of the conference as well as the prominent and leading role of the capitals of member countries in implementing ASEAN's regional connectivity and integration, towards the common goal of "One Vision - One Identity - One ASEAN Community" by 2015.

Mr. Joko Widodo emphasized that this goal is also the driving force and challenge for closer cooperation between ASEAN countries in general and the capitals of member countries in particular, which requires enhancing mutual understanding, sharing experiences, best governance and management practices, and mutually beneficial cooperation between the governments and people of ASEAN capitals.

Speaking at the Conference, Deputy Secretary General in charge of the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC), Alicia Dela Rosa Bala, noted the common regional and global challenges that ASEAN is facing in the integration process, especially in the remaining two years to complete the goal of building an ASEAN common home by 2015.

Indonesian Deputy Foreign Minister Wardhana particularly emphasized the difficulties and challenges of ASEAN in building the ASEAN Community by 2015, as well as in ensuring the maintenance of a peaceful, secure, stable and democratic environment for the development and prosperity of each member country as well as for the entire region.

He affirmed that an ASEAN Community will become a reality and a substantial entity if there is the participation of all ASEAN peoples as well as their full understanding and awareness of ASEAN and the ASEAN Community.

The conference will sign and issue the Jakarta Joint Declaration of the capital governments of ASEAN countries./.

According to (Vietnam+) - DT