05 Apr 2018
03-Apr-2018
Source: ASEAN Secretariat News
ASEAN, United States reaffirm commitment to strengthen partnership
SELANGOR, 3 April 2018 – The United States reaffirmed its strong commitment to strengthen its strategic partnership with ASEAN. This was reaffirmed by Senior Officials from both sides when they met in Selangor, Malaysia today, for the 31st ASEAN-U.S. Dialogue.
ASEAN and the U.S. were pleased to note the upward trajectory of their partnership and the encouraging progress made in the implementation of the ASEAN-U.S. Plan of Action (2016-2020). The meeting took stock of the growing cooperation in a broad spectrum of areas focusing on maritime issues, transnational challenges, trade and investment, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, education, women and youth, among others through ASEAN-led mechanisms and bilateral programmes.
The importance of stepping up cooperation in the areas of cyber security, e-commerce and the digital economy in line with Singapore’s Chairmanship theme of a resilient and innovative ASEAN was highlighted. The meeting also exchanged views on regional and international issues.
The dialogue was co-chaired by the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia, Dato’ Ramlan Ibrahim, and the U.S. Acting Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Susan A. Thornton. It was attended by senior representatives from ASEAN Member States and the ASEAN Secretariat.