Interests of people in focus at ASEAN meet

Leaders' commitments at end of summit include greater connectivity, integration

The 42nd ASEAN Summit closed on Thursday with leaders of the regional bloc stressing their commitment to the interests of the common people, and stronger economic and digital connectivity.

Attention to the important issues includes the protection of migrant workers and victims of human trafficking, Indonesian President Joko Widodo told the media at the end of the two-day conference in Labuan Bajo, a popular tourist site on Flores Island, East Nusa Tenggara Province.

Indonesia chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations this year. The leaders at the summit also made a declaration on advancing regional payment connectivity and promoting local currency transactions. Seamless and secure cross-border payments, taking country circumstances into consideration, are to be facilitated.