A reading of Vice President Harris’ participation in the US-ASEAN Summit

from White House website

Vice President Kamala Harris today joined leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states and Timor-Leste and the ASEAN Secretary General at the annual US-ASEAN Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia. He reaffirmed America’s commitment to strengthening our partnership with ASEAN, maintaining ASEAN centrality, and strongly implementing the ASEAN vision in the Indo-Pacific region. The Vice President praised Indonesia’s successful leadership of ASEAN and expressed support for Laos as it prepares to take over the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2024. He welcomed Timor-Leste’s presence as an ASEAN observer and pledged US support for Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN. process.

The Vice President reflected on the strength of the US-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the historic results of the 2022 US-ASEAN Special Summit in Washington, DC. The Vice President also highlighted new initiatives to strengthen America’s partnership with ASEAN on economic and trade, climate and energy, health and maritime issues, including the establishment of a US-ASEAN Center in Washington, DC through public-private partnerships. such as sustainable fishing, as well as education and cultural exchange.

The leaders discussed a range of regional and global issues, including the importance of upholding international law in the South China Sea, efforts to support the Burmese people on the path to democratic transition, and Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine. Its adverse effects in Southeast Asia.

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