The United States and ASEAN convened for the 36th annual ASEAN-U.S. Dialogue on May 24 in Washington, D.C., to discuss expanded cooperation under their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP). Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel J. Kritenbrink co-chaired the dialogue with Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General of ASEAN Cooperation Sidharto Reza Suryodipuro.
Assistant Secretary Kritenbrink reaffirmed the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to ASEAN centrality and regional security and prosperity, including support for the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. The co-chairs acknowledged significant milestones in the U.S.-ASEAN partnership, such as upgrading ties to a CSP in 2022 and launching the U.S.-ASEAN Center in Washington, D.C., in 2023.
During discussions on pressing geopolitical issues, Assistant Secretary Kritenbrink emphasized facilitating a free, open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient Indo-Pacific; supporting peaceful arbitration of disputes; and promoting regional sovereignty. He highlighted close coordination with ASEAN to support Burma's path to inclusive democracy according to the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus. He called for an immediate end to violence by Burma's military regime, release of unjustly detained individuals, and unhindered humanitarian access.
Kritenbrink stressed U.S. commitment to strong trade and investment relationships with ASEAN countries, noting that the United States is the top source of foreign direct investment in the region. He also emphasized cooperation on climate change, cybersecurity, emerging technologies development, freedom of navigation, lawful commerce flow, people-to-people ties, and delivering concrete benefits for over one billion people combined between U.S. and ASEAN nations. Additionally, he reiterated U.S. support for Timor-Leste’s full accession to ASEAN.
The Assistant Secretary expressed support for Lao PDR’s chairmanship of ASEAN in 2024. Both co-chairs anticipated participation in upcoming ASEAN Regional Forum and East Asia Summit Senior Officials’ Meetings scheduled for June 7-8 in Vientiane.
