Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel J. Kritenbrink will travel to Vientiane, Lao PDR, from June 6-8 and Tokyo, Japan, from June 9-10.
In Vientiane, Assistant Secretary Kritenbrink will participate in the East Asia Summit and ASEAN Regional Forum Senior Officials’ Meetings. During these meetings, he will underscore the United States’ commitment to ASEAN centrality, a free and open Indo-Pacific, and the security and prosperity of its partners. He will also meet with senior Lao PDR government officials to reaffirm U.S. support for Lao PDR’s ASEAN Chair Year. The discussions will highlight U.S. efforts in support of the theme “Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience,” express gratitude for Lao PDR's continued work as Co-Chair for the Mekong-U.S. Partnership, and further strengthen the U.S.-Lao PDR comprehensive partnership.
In Tokyo, Assistant Secretary Kritenbrink will meet with senior Japanese officials to reaffirm the United States’ commitment to the U.S.-Japan Alliance. The meetings aim to discuss how both nations can deepen cooperation on a range of key opportunities and challenges.
