Indonesia beefs up security, health, media preparations ahead of Asean summit

Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi delivers her speech during a press briefing in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Friday, May 5, 2023. - Reuters

JAKARTA, May 5 (Xinhua): Preparations are now ready to secure and facilitate the 42nd summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which will be convened in the Indonesian resort spot of Labuan Bajo next week.

Indonesia, the largest economy in the region, is chairing Asean this year with the theme of "ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth." The country has chosen Labuan Bajo, which is the gateway to the popular Komodo National Park in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) province, for the gathering to promote it as a travel destination for international tourists.