Jakarta, May 9 (AseanAll) — ASEAN and the United States (U.S.) reaffirmed their shared commitment to continue strengthening the ASEAN-U.S. Comprehensive Strategic Partnership at the 16th Meeting of the ASEAN-U.S. Joint Cooperation Committee, held on May 9, 2025 at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat.
The Meeting welcomed the U.S.’ continued support for ASEAN Community-building efforts, ASEAN Centrality, and in promoting peace, security, and stability in the region through its participation in various ASEAN-led mechanisms. The Meeting commended the robust and full implementation of all measures in the Plan of Action to Implement the ASEAN-United States Strategic Partnership (2021-2025) and its Annex. The Meeting expressed its support for the U.S.’ proposal for an ASEAN-U.S. Leaders’ Joint Vision Statement which will serve as a guide to further advance partnership beyond 2025.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening existing cooperation and identified key areas for future collaboration, including defence; addressing transnational crime; maritime cooperation, humanitarian mine action, digital economy, artificial intelligence, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) development, tourism, environment and climate change, education, public health, biodiversity, energy, disaster preparedness, connectivity, and people-to-people exchanges. ASEAN encouraged the U.S. to support the forthcoming ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future, and enhance practical cooperation in the four priority areas under the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. ASEAN also encouraged the U.S. to further support the implementation the ASEAN Smart Cities Network (ASCN) initiative and welcomed further collaboration with ASEAN centres of excellence.
Recognising close trade and investment ties between both sides, ASEAN reiterated its intention to engage the U.S. in a constructive dialogue to address trade-related concerns and maintain strong and mutually beneficial trade relations with the U.S. ASEAN is also committed to exploring avenues to work with the U.S., including through existing economic platforms such as the ASEAN-U.S. Trade and Investment Framework Arrangement as well as dialogue and engagement between ASEAN Economic Ministers and the U.S. Trade Representative to explore mutually acceptable solutions of common interest.
ASEAN appreciated the U.S. for its longstanding support for the ASEAN development agenda, including its contribution to the Initiative for ASEAN Integration as well as through sub-regional cooperation, including the Mekong-U.S. Partnership (MUSP). The Meeting also commended the U.S. for its commitment to continue supporting development cooperation to realise the goals across the three ASEAN Community pillars. The Meeting looked forward to continue strengthening people-to-people and cultural engagement, including through the Fulbright U.S.-ASEAN Visiting Scholar Program, Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) programmes, and International Visitors Leadership Program, as well as the activities and programmes of the ASEAN-U.S. Center in Washington, D.C.
The U.S. reiterated its commitment to ASEAN and highlighted ASEAN’s central role in the regional architecture and in shaping the region’s dynamics. The Meeting exchanged views on international and regional issues of common interest and concern, including the situation in South China Sea, Korean Peninsula, Middle East, and Ukraine. The Meeting looked forward to enhancing collaboration in addressing emerging challenges and promote peace, stability and prosperity in the region.
Permanent Representative of Cambodia to ASEAN, Heng Sarith, and Chargé d’Affaires a.i. at the U.S. Mission to ASEAN, Kate Rebholz, co-chaired the Meeting. Permanent Representatives to ASEAN or their representatives and representatives of the ASEAN Secretariat were in attendance. Ambassador of Timor-Leste to ASEAN attended as Observer.
