President Mohammed Shahabuddin today (September 5) joined the opening session of the 43rd Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at the Plenary Hall of Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) in Indonesia.

With the theme of "ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth", the three-day summit is being held on September 5-7 with Indonesian President Joko Widodo in the chair.

Bangladesh President Shahabuddin along with his wife Dr Rebecca Sultana reached the summit venue at about 9:50 am (local time).

On arrival, they were welcomed by the ASEAN chair and the Indonesian President after a formal state reception.

The Indonesian President along with his wife Iriana Joko Widodo also took part in a photo session with the Bangladesh President and his spouse.

Chairperson of Bangladesh National Advisory Committee on Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders Saima Wazed and Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen are also accompanying the President at the opening ceremony.

Along with 10 organizational leaders from ASEAN countries, several heads of the state and the government and leaders of partner countries are participating in the opening session of the summit.

Host country Indonesia invited as many as 27 world leaders and concerned personalities of international bodies like executive directors of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank for the summit, said ASEAN secretary general.

BDST: 1309 HRS, SEP 05, 2023
MN/SMS