JAKARTA, 7 March 2023 – Recalling the establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership at the 10th ASEAN-United States (US) Summit last year, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen their longstanding relations at the 35th ASEAN-US Dialogue held earlier today at the ASEAN Secretariat.
The US conveyed its unwavering support for ASEAN Community-building efforts, assistance towards the region’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, and commitment to ASEAN Centrality through its active participation in ASEAN-led mechanisms. Building on the momentum of the commemoration of the 45th anniversary of their dialogue relations and the establishment of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership last year, the Meeting acknowledged the strengthening of cooperation between both sides across the three ASEAN Community pillars.
Both sides looked forward to the adoption of the Annex to the ASEAN-US Plan of Action (2021-2025) at the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference Plus One (PMC+1) Session with the US in July, as well as the convening of the 11th ASEAN-US Summit in September this year.
In discussing future cooperation, ASEAN and the US highlighted the importance of enhancing cooperation in the four key areas outlined in the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) including concrete actions to support its implementation, as well as in other areas such as maritime cooperation; transnational crime, combatting trafficking in person, non-proliferation and disarmament; intra-parliamentary cooperation; digital economy, trade, investment, and financial stability; Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs); energy security; climate-friendly transportation technologies including electric vehicle ecosystem; smart cities; sustainable infrastructure and connectivity; sub-regional cooperation and support for the Initiative for ASEAN Integration; regional health resilience; environment, climate change, agriculture and food security; education, and people-to-people initiatives; youth and women empowerment, and Women, Peace and Security agenda; sustainable development; and bio-circular and green economy.
To advocate awareness of the ASEAN-US relations on both sides, the US expressed its intention to establish an ASEAN-United States centre. In addition, the US reaffirmed its commitment to support Timor-Leste as Observer of ASEAN with the relevant capacity-building programmes. The Meeting exchanged views on regional and international issues of common concerns.
Sidharto Suryodipuro, Director-General of ASEAN Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, and Daniel Kritenbrink, Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, US Department of State co-chaired the Meeting. Senior Officials of ASEAN Member States, the Deputy Secretary-General for ASEAN Political-Security Community, and Timor-Leste as Observer also participated. The ASEAN-US Dialogue continues to be an essential mechanism in discussing strategic issues of common interests and concerns between ASEAN and the US.
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