The 42nd ASEAN Summit opened on the 10th in the small tourist city of Labuan Baho in eastern Indonesia. Indonesian President Joko called on member states to strengthen unity and economic integration. In his opening speech, Zoko said that unity will enable ASEAN to play a central role in peace and development. In the future, ASEAN must strengthen economic integration and inclusive cooperation, including implementing the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, strengthening the construction of health, food and energy infrastructure, and maintaining financial stability. The theme of this year's ASEAN Summit is "ASEAN Essentials: The Center for Growth". The rotating presidency of Indonesia expressed the hope that ASEAN will continue to serve as the center of regional economic development, maintaining rapid, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth. The ASEAN Summit is expected to adopt the road map for East Timor to become a full member of ASEAN. At the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits held in Cambodia in November last year, ASEAN member countries agreed in principle to admit East Timor as a member state and expressed their willingness to help East Timor develop a roadmap for becoming a full member state. The ASEAN Summit is generally held twice a year, once in the first half of the year and once in the second half of the year. ASEAN was established in 1967 and currently has 10 member countries including Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar. (New News Agency)