President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on Sunday kicked off Indonesia’s 2023 ASEAN chairmanship, which is to focus on championing the regional group as a peace broker for the Indo-Pacific as well as on spurring economic growth amid challenges both regional and global.
Cloudy weather and light rain in the morning did not dampen Jokowi’s parade in Central Jakarta, and hundreds of Jakartans enjoying the weekly Car Free Day stopped by to watch.
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Jokowi, accompanied by Foreign Minister Retno L.P. Marsudi and several other Cabinet members, departed from the State Palace on bicycles and stopped at the Sarinah building to greet dozens of foreign diplomats.
The President and his entourage then joined a march featuring a drumming troupe and flag bearers that traveled from Sarinah to a stage at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle.