Jakarta, July 9 (AseanAll)  —  ASEAN and the United States (U.S.) reaffirmed their commitment to advancing their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) at the 15th ASEAN-U.S. Joint Cooperation Committee Meeting, held on July 9, 2024 at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat.

ASEAN commended the U.S.’ continued support for ASEAN Centrality in maintaining peace, stability and prosperity in the region and in enhancing cooperation through various ASEAN-led mechanisms. The U.S. also reaffirmed its support for ASEAN Community building efforts and ASEAN’s central role in the evolving regional architecture.

The meeting noted with satisfaction the robust progress in the implementation of the Plan of Action to Implement ASEAN-United States Strategic Partnership (2021-2025) and its Annex. On the political and security front, the meeting discussed ways to further promote cooperation under the ASEAN-U.S. CSP, including through concrete actions to implement the ASEAN-U.S. Leaders’ Statement on Cooperation on the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), and to enhance maritime cooperation. In the economic sector, the meeting deliberated on a number of initiatives to intensify cooperation in a range of areas, including trade; investment; digital economy; circular economy; micro, small and medium enterprises; data governance; cybersecurity; energy/ASEAN Power Grid; electric vehicles; smart cities; transport; connectivity; sustainable infrastructure and development; Artificial Intelligence; supply chain resilience; food security; and tourism. When it comes to socio-cultural cooperation, the meeting exchanged views on the strengthening of cooperation in the areas of environment and climate change; public health; humanitarian assistance and disaster relief; gender equality and women’s empowerment; cultural heritage; rural developments; and the rights of persons with disabilities.

ASEAN also encouraged the U.S. to support ASEAN centres of excellence, the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Work Plan IV (2021-2025), and Masterplan on ASEAN Connectivity 2025.

The meeting hoped that the establishment of the ASEAN-U.S. Center in Washington D.C. would further strengthen the people-to-people linkages and promote awareness of ASEAN in the U.S. The meeting noted the launch of the ASEAN-U.S. Center Speakers Series, in which Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, delivered his inaugural speech at the Center during his Working Visit to the U.S. last month.

The meeting looked forward to the implementation of the ASEAN-USAID Partnership Program 2024-2029 which will further strengthen ASEAN’s capacity to advance economic growth, trade, good governance, resilience and stability in the region. The meeting also candidly exchanged views on developments in ASEAN, the U.S., as well as regional and international issues of common interest and concern.

Permanent Representative of Indonesia to ASEAN, Derry Aman, and Ambassador of the U.S. to ASEAN, Yohannes Abraham, co-chaired the meeting. 

Permanent Representatives to ASEAN or their representatives, the Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Political-Security Community and their respective delegations were in attendance. Ambassador of Timor-Leste to ASEAN attended as Observer.