JAKARTA, Indonesia — The 43rd Association of Southeast Asian Nation Summit formally kicked off on Tuesday morning with regional leaders and dialogue partners set to focus on important matters in the region.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo and his wife, Iriana Joko Widodo, welcomed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and other heads of states at the Jakarta Convention Center here.

In his welcoming remarks, Widodo said all Indonesian people are very happy to welcome the presence of country leaders as an ASEAN extended family.

"I am sure that not only Indonesia, but all ASEAN member countries have the same sense of pride, have the same sense of love, for the family that we call ASEAN," Jokowi said.

Jokowi also said that it is impossible for ASEAN to stand alone to face the challenges that exist in the world. According to him, in his journey, ASEAN needs to cooperate with the partners of the organization of the Southeast Asian countries.

"Let's together realize equal and mutually beneficial cooperation to sail together towards the epicentrum of growth," Jokowi said.

ASEAN member states include Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Philippines, Myanmar, Malaysia, Laos, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Brunei.

East Timor was added as a member of this regional grouping.

Widodo said ASEAN needs to cooperate with the partners of the organization of the Southeast Asian countries.

"Let's together realize equal and mutually beneficial cooperation to sail together towards the epicentrum of growth," said Jokowi.