Supported by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented through a partnership between the Royal University of Phnom Penh and the University Kebangsaan Malaysia, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Youth Volunteer Program (AYVP) closed a month of activities to develop skills as eco-leaders and volunteers in Phnom Penh on Friday, August …

The finalists from the 2015 ASEAN Youth Video Contest share their perspectives on what the ASEAN Community means to youth and were selected to join a video production workshop in Singapore last month on the basis of draft storyboards they submitted for the initial round of the contest.  During the training, they learned production techniques …

Section 1. Background and Introduction The ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Youth (SOMY) is pleased to announce a video contest entitled “What does the ASEAN Community Mean to Youth?” This contest is supported by the U.S. Government through the U.S Mission to ASEAN and the ASEAN Foundation. We are seeking your creative and inspiring story …

HO CHI MINH CITY – Experts from multi-national companies in Ho Chi Minh City today met 65 entrepreneurs from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Viet Nam to discuss ways these businesses can better integrate into the global supply chain and be more competitive, especially in the garment and footwear sectors. …

BANGKOK – More than 40 women entrepreneurs from an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting in Bangkok yesterday announced a regional product brand and marketing platform called the GREAT Women (Gender Responsive Economic Actions for the Transformation of Women) – ASEAN Collection. From its base in the Philippines, this innovative approach and brand is being …

Jakarta, Indonesia – Ambassador Hachigian’s overview of U.S. engagement with ASEAN stimulated discussion with over 100 young people from Paradamina University, with YSEALI members, and with other exchange program alumni @america in Jakarta Wednesday, December 3.  U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia Robert Blake introduced Ambassador Hachigian, and after Ambassador Hachigian’s remarks, she answered questions and invited …

Mr. Michael Fuchs , Deputy Assistant Secretary of U.S. Department of State Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, will host a Twitter Q&A “U.S. and ASEAN” on Monday, October 6, 2014. Deputy Assistant Secretary Fuchs is happy to entertain any questions on U.S. perspective on the upcoming EAS Summit and U.S.-ASEAN Summit, and on U.S. – ASEAN cooperation. …

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Knowledge Network on Climate Change and ASEAN Social Forestry Network held a workshop on Safeguard Information Systems from September 9 to 11 in Jakarta. The Center for People and Forests, the USAID Lowering Emissions in Asia’s Forests program and USAID Grassroots Equity and Enhanced Networks in the …

Bogor, Indonesia – Seven ASEAN-U.S. Science and Technology Fellows (S&T Fellows) joined ASEAN’s Science & Technology Week in Bogor, Indonesia, participating in workhsops and presentations. They also participate in the ASEAN-U.S. Consultation on Science and Technology, attending as part of their year-long fellowship focused on issues related to biodiversity, climate change, disaster risk and reduction, …

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesperson For Immediate Release  MEDIA NOTE On August 9, 2014, Secretary John Kerry and the Foreign Ministers of the Lower Mekong partner countries launched the LMI Eminent and Expert Persons Group at the LMI Ministerial Meeting.  As a first priority, the Ministers tasked the group with finding concrete ways to promote a sustainable future for the …

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesperson For Immediate Release                        MEDIA NOTE On August 9, 2014, Secretary of State John Kerry led the United States’ delegation to the Seventh Lower Mekong Initiative (LMI) Ministerial Meeting in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar. LMI is the region’s only forum for addressing cross-border development and policy challenges facing …

The full text of the State Department’s 2013  International Religious Freedom Report  is available on the State Department website. U.S. Department of State Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Washington, D.C. International Religious Freedom Report for 2013 Executive Summary History shows that nations that uphold the rights of their people — including the freedom of religion — are …

NAY PYI TAW – Thirty young diplomats from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other ministries completed a five-day seminar July 14-18, 2014 to further refine their understanding of ASEAN and the growing role of the organization in defining issues of concern common to Myanmar and its neighbors. The program, organized by the United States …

The Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) announced the first Seeds for the Future grants competition, and the grants application process will open onJuly 15 and run until August 1. Applicants are expected to find team members and develop proposals for submission. Grants of up to $10,000 will be awarded to initiatives addressing the four YSEALI themes …

Jakarta, Indonesia – US Mission to ASEAN, in partnership with US Embassy Rangoon, developed a two-day program form journalists from Myanmar to help them better understand ASEAN, U.S. – ASEAN relations, and the issues which underpin a free, open and professional media environment. On the first day, the seven journalists met with US Mission to …

The Department of State requests proposals from non-profit organizations interested in a cooperative agreement award from the U.S. Department of State Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs (EAP) to manage the  Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI)  Seeds for the Future grants competition.  Approximately $750,000.00 will be awarded for the program. The YSEALI Seeds for the Future program will provide …

This article was originally published on the Defense Department website on May 30. Washington — At an annual Asia security conference in Singapore that he helped to create while he was a U.S. senator, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel will lay out challenges the participating nations face and will meet with many fellow defense leaders to …

Singapore – The U.S. Department of Commerce collaborates with U.S. government-funded ASEAN Connectivity through Trade and Investment (ACTI) project to ensure that ASEAN’s standards-related measures are trade facilitating. Work in this area is designed to include support to ASEAN in adoption and implementation of a directive on medical device regulations. As such, upon request of …

Jakarta – As a part of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) program, launched by President Obama in Kuala Lumpur April 26-28, U.S. Embassy Jakarta hosted an @america event inviting 100 university students to watch the YSEALI Town Hall, where President Obama hosted a Q&A session with YSEALI participants at the University of Malaya.  …

Vietnam – USAID through the ASEAN Connectivity through Trade and Investment (ACTI) project partners with the US-ASEAN Business Alliance to sponsor the first Launching Workshop of the ASEAN Women Entrepreneurs’ Network (AWEN) in Vietnam on April 22-23, 2014. Although the formation of AWEN has long been announced by Vietnam at the 6th ASEAN Committee on …

Kuala Lumpur – As ASEAN strives towards establishing an ASEAN Community by 2015, it is important to ensure that such development is sustainable through, among other areas, mitigating greenhouse gas emission thus contributing to global climate change abatement. In support of this idea, the ASEAN Connectivity through Trade and Investment project also sets its goal …

Ho Chi Minh City – The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and U.S.-ASEAN Business Council launched the U.S. – ASEAN Business Alliance for SMEs on March 4, 2014. The Business Alliance mobilizes resources of major U.S. corporations and USAID, particularly the ASEAN Trade and Investment Connectivity (ACTI) project to support the efforts to make …

April 1-3, 2014 Honolulu, Hawaii U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel discussed military cooperation in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HA/DR) and other regional security issues with ASEAN Defense Ministers and the ASEAN Secretary-General Le Luong Minh.  All ten ASEAN Member States participated and noted the important role military assets play in responding to natural …

BANDUNG, March 10, 2014 – The development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in ASEAN is critical for development in the ASEAN region.  SMEs account for 96% of all enterprises and between 50 and 85% of domestic employment in ASEAN.  Moreover, supporting SMEs provides a unique opportunity for the economic empowerment of women and young entrepreneurs. …

This article was originally published on the Defense Department website on March 18. Washington — Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel spoke with Malaysian Defense Minister Hishammuddin Tun Hussein on March 17 to discuss the ongoing search for Malaysian Airlines Flight 370. In a statement summarizing the phone call, assistant Pentagon press secretary Carl Woog said Hagel …

With U.S. Government support, Singapore hosts the first Court Excellence and Judicial Cooperation Forum 2014 for judiciaries in the ASEAN region March 5-7. This Forum serves as a platform to promote knowledge exchange and sharing of best practices in the area of judicial administration and delivery of justice among ASEAN judiciaries and courts.  ASEAN Member States …

Underlining the importance of U.S. engagement with ASEAN, U.S. Secretary of State Honourable John Kerry today paid a courtesy call on Secretary-General of ASEAN, H.E. Le Luong Minh. Secretary Kerry visited ASEAN Headquarters in Jakarta where he engaged Secretary-General Minh and other senior ASEAN Secretariat officials in discussions on U.S.-ASEAN relations and other regional issues …

The US reaffirmed its commitment to deepen its practical cooperation with ASEAN on areas of mutual interest including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR). “The multilateral exercises that we do with ASEAN provide valuable platforms as it brings in other partner countries to operate closely together, hence contributing not only to regional, but global security,” …

Nay Pyi Taw – Myanmar was host to a US-sponsored two-day workshop on commercial law development. Conducted on November 20-21, the workshop demonstrated how commercial law leads to inclusive and sustained economic growth.   Opening the event, the Attorney General emphasized the importance of commercial law development for Myanmar’s development plans. By the end of the workshop, participants had …

Southeast Asia faces a variety of development challenges: climate change, disaster response, governance, food security, and health are just a few.  That these challenges are interdependent and complex is well-known, but how are they best tackled?  USAID does not believe that they can be confronted using traditional development programming. In this spirit, the U.S. Agency …

Do you have a mobile service or app that is being used to address a development challenge in Asia? Do you want the opportunity to promote your mobile solution to a broader audience of development and technology professionals? If so, apply for the Mobile Solutions for Development in Asia Award today! The U.S. Agency for International Development …

Yangon – Around 60 participants attended a two-day workshop in Yangon, Myanmar on November 12 – 13 to better understand ASEAN’s program for self-certification of product origin. By the end of the workshop, participants will have a better understanding of the proposed self-certification scheme and the institutions required to make the system work. The workshop …

Jakarta – Trainers from the PACOM Center for Excellence in Disaster Management & Humanitarian Assistance (CFE-DMHA), Marine Corps Forces Pacific, and the Marine Corps University began a five-day training seminar on management planning for the ASEAN Coordinating Center for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Center). In opening remarks, Ambassador Carden recognized the importance of …

Jakarta – Acknowledging that many democracies in the region are “works in progress,” Ambassador Carden and twenty undergraduate international relations students at Paramadina University held a lively discussion on the roles that globalization, human empowerment, education, connectivity, labor, free trade, corruption, tax reform, inequality, and other issues play in the development of democratic systems. The …

Jakarta – An audience of about 25 students and faculty from the University of Indonesia American Studies Graduate Program responded positively to Ambassador Carden’s challenge to consider taking a different approach to tackling the challenges facing Southeast Asia.  Describing U.S. engagement with ASEAN, the Ambassador discussed the important role cooperation amongst all stakeholders will be …

The U.S. Mission to ASEAN announces the new ASEAN-U.S. Science and Technology Fellows Pilot Program, which is aimed at strengthening capacity for science-based policy-making in ASEAN.  ASEAN scientists will work directly with policymakers in ASEAN Member State ministries to bring the best available science to inform the policymaking process; liaise between government officials and the …

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia –Ambassador Carden joined the Malaysian Minister of Youth and Sports and the Vice-Chancellor of National University of Malaysia to celebrate the inaugural ASEAN Youth Volunteer Program (AYVP) with 100 volunteers from all 10 Member States.  Grabbing a microphone in a few minutes of down time before the formal program, the Ambassador addressed …

In this weekend’s Straits Times, a feature article on Ambassador Carden covered the broad U.S. engagement in the region, focusing on the non-traditional security challenges the United States is addressing, including climate change, sustainable urban development, biodiversity conservation, disaster risk management, pandemic preparedness, human and wildlife trafficking, and youth engagement. Read the article here .

John Dawson interviewed Ambassador Carden on Bloomberg TV’s First Up program (5-minute video linked here:  Bloomberg TV Interview ).  The Ambassador discussed the importance of rules-based systems and high-standards trade agreements, such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership, for encouraging business investment and economic growth.  He also emphasized the breadth of U.S. engagement in Southeast Asia.

Singapore – Ambassador Carden delivered the inaugural lecture at The Institute of South East Asian Studies (ISEAS) ASEAN Studies Center in Singapore today.  The new lecture series focuses on Dialogue Partner Relations in ASEAN.  Former ASEC Secretary General Rodolfo Severino hosted the event, which included audience members from think tanks, the diplomatic corps, consultancy firms, …

Singapore – Ambassador Carden participated in the opening panel “Competition and Cooperation in a Turbulent World” at the 6th ASEAN and Asia Forum, sponsored by the Singapore Institute of International Affairs, an independent think tank.  Following a keynote speech by Brunei Second Foreign Minister Pehin Lim Jock Seng, Ambassador Carden delivered remarks on the United …

Sentul, Indonesia: Ambassador Carden joined Indonesia Armed Forces Commander, General Moeldoko, to open the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) Counter-Terrorism Exercise (CTX) today in Sentul, Indonesia.  Indonesia is highlighting the CTX as the world’s biggest counter-terrorism exercise.  Gen Moeldoko said the CTX will develop military capabilities by exchanging best practices and demonstrating tactics, techniques, and …

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ASEAN Bloggers Indonesian Chapter organized a one-day Seminar in Jakarta, August 24, 2013. The theme of the event was “ASEAN Connectivity towards ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) 2015: The Role and Contributions of Bloggers and Social Media in facing the ASEAN Economic Integration” which focused on bloggers’ roles for the 2015 ASEAN Economic Community goals …

Ambassador Carden hosted a coffee for the ASEAN Committee of Permanent Representatives (CPR) in honor of visiting Congressional delegation led by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce and  Congressman David Cicilline.  Chairman Royce and Congressman Cicilline and the PRs discussed ASEAN priorities, including economic integration, environmental conservation, wildlife and human trafficking, and youth and education.

Bogor, Indonesia – Ambassador Carden visited the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), a global non-profit research organization focused on tropical forest management. He exchanged ideas with CIFOR scientists about their multidisciplinary work linking environmental conservation and human well-being.  Ambassador Carden and CIFOR scientists discussed CIFOR’s new integrated program of work linking forests, food security and …

Jakarta – Ambassador David Carden delivered well received remarks as a discussant on a high- level panel presentation on ASEAN integration through the lens of ASEAN’s external legal engagements. Approximately 200 diplomats, scholars, and ASEAN contacts attended the program on ASEAN Governance, Management and External Relations, sponsored by the Center on International Law at the …

Ambassador Carden spoke to an enthusiastic audience of 70 students in the second cohort of the Brunei-U.S. English Language Program at the University of Brunei Darussalam. Representing nine different ASEAN countries, this group is composed of teachers, government workers and diplomats who engaged the Ambassador with questions on ASEAN integration, education, human trafficking, U.S.-ASEAN engagement, …

Ambassador Carden and CEOs from ACE insurance, ConocoPhilips, Ernst & Young, Motorola, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, and Underwriters Laboratories met with ASEAN Secretary General Le Luong Minh June 25.  U.S.-ASEAN Business Council (USABC) Chairman and ACE CEO Evan Greenberg pointed out that with the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) and other agreements, the economic relationship between the United States …

Jakarta – U.S. Mission to ASEAN Ambassador David Carden and U.S. 7th Fleet Commander Vice-Admiral Scott H. Swift met with ASEAN Representatives from Indonesia, Laos, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam, aboard the 7th Fleet command vessel the USS Blue Ridge on June 15, 2013.  The meeting highlighted the U.S. Navy’s commitment to the Asia-Pacific region by strengthening communication ties and building …

Thomas Countryman, Assistant Secretary of State for International Security and Nonproliferation, participated in a panel discussion on “The Next Phase of U.S. – Southeast Asia Nonproliferation Cooperation” with Mr. Jose Tavares, the Director of ASEAN Political and Security Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Mr. Pratap Prameswaran, the Director of Political and Security …

During her three-day visit to Indonesia, Under Secretary for Political Affairs Ms. Wendy R. Sherman met ASEAN Secretary General Le Luong Minh at the ASEAN Secretariat. Under Secretary Sherman and SG Minh exchanged views on regional security challenges and discussed prospects for reforms to strengthen the ASEAN Charter and ASEAN Secretariat.

US Ambassador to ASEAN David Carden hosted a dinner for the ASEAN Committee of Permanent Representatives (CPR) in honor of visiting Under Secretary for Political Affairs Ms. Wendy R. Sherman.  Under Secretary Sherman and the PRs discussed ASEAN’s role in promoting a stable and secure regional architecture, and the United States’ continuing support and commitment to …

Second ASEAN Bloggers Festival Indonesian Chapter (ABFI 2013) was held in Solo, Indonesia, from 10 – 12 May 2013. Over 200 bloggers representing all ten ASEAN Member States attended the Festival. This year’s theme was “Re-inventing the Spirit of Cultural Heritage of Southeast Asia,” with the focused on bloggers’ roles for the 2015 ASEAN Economic …

Forensic evidence plays a crucial role in criminal investigations, but it is often present in very small quantities, making it difficult to collect and analyze. Fortunately, new innovative scientific tools and multidisciplinary approaches are being developed here in the ASEAN region to overcome these difficulties. In the latest edition of InnovASEAN, guest blogger Dr. Nathinee Panvisavas of Mahidol University discusses examples …

Secretary Kerry will release the  2012 Human Rights Reports  on Friday, April 19.  He is currently scheduled to deliver his remarks – officially releasing the report to the public – at 14:00 in Washington. The annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices – the Human Rights Reports – cover internationally recognized individual, civil, political, and worker rights, as set …

In ASEAN cities, ‘waste management’ is persistently cited as the top challenge faced by local governments. In the latest edition of  InnovASEAN , guest blogger Shom Teoh from the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies in Japan discusses three cities in ASEAN – Surabaya (Indonesia), Muangklang (Thailand), and North Kuching (Malaysia) – and how they are using …

US Ambassador to ASEAN David Carden hosted a dinner for the ASEAN Committee of Permanent Representatives (CPR) in honor of visiting Deputy Secretary of Defense Ashton B. Carter.  Carter is on a six day trip in the Asia-Pacific region to meet with defense counterparts and assure ally nations of the U.S. commitment to the area.

Dr. Montira Pongsiri, Science Advisor at the U.S. Mission to ASEAN, visited with Public Health faculty and students at Thammasat University in Bangkok last week to give a talk and participate in a roundtable discussion on advancing public health and science-based policy making in ASEAN. Discussion topics included mainstreaming of health impact assessment (HIA) tools …

U.S. Ambassador to ASEAN David Carden hosted an interactive discussion on the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration, featuring U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary Michael Fuchs and Mr. Rafendi Djamin from the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR). The event, held at the @america Culture Center in Jakarta, was well attended by one hundred university students from Universitas Paramadina …

The Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) express their deep concern about the effect on regional peace and stability caused by the recent report of an underground nuclear test conducted by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. ASEAN encourages the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to comply fully with its obligations …

JAKARTA, 7 February 2013 – Admiral Samuel J. Locklear III, Commander of the United States Pacific Command (PACOM), joined U.S. Ambassador to ASEAN David L. Carden in a visit to the ASEAN Secretariat this afternoon to meet with ASEAN Secretary-General Le Luong Minh.  The 30-minute meeting covered a wide range of security topics including ASEAN-U.S. …

Secretary-General of ASEAN, H.E. Le Luong Minh, underscored the importance of engaging the private sector to ensure constructive and timely realization of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) by 2015. This was conveyed when SG Minh met with Mr. Alexander Feldmen, President of US-ASEAN Business Council (US-ABC) yesterday at the ASEAN Secretariat, Jakarta. “We are implementing …

The President will travel to Bangkok, Thailand; Rangoon, Burma and Phnom Penh, Cambodia from November 17-20. In Thailand, he will meet with Prime Minister Yingluck to mark 180 years of diplomatic relations and reaffirm the strength of our alliance.  In Burma, the President will meet with President Thein Sein and Aung San Suu Kyi and …

The U.S.-ASEAN partnership took another step forward on September 6 in Yangon when the U.S.-ASEAN Eminent Persons Group (EPG) convened for their second meeting.  During their latest session, the group focused on developing concrete recommendations for enhancing cooperation across all three ASEAN communities.  The U.S. EPG also met with President U Thein Sein in Naypyidaw, and opposition …

July 9-13, 2012 was a very busy week in Cambodia, with the U.S. Mission to ASEAN actively involved in numerous meetings and conferences in both Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, including the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), East Asia Summit (EAS) Ministerial, US-ASEAN Business Summit, and several Lower Mekong Initiative (LMI) events.  We further welcomed U.S. …

U.S. Ambassador to ASEAN David Carden, together with U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam David Shear and representatives from USAID and ASEAN, addressed 40,000 fans at the MTV EXIT concert in Hanoi’s My Dinh Stadium on May 26, featuring as headline act the multi-platinum international rock band  Simple Plan . ASEAN has been an official partner of the successful …

The U.S.-ASEAN partnership will take another step forward on May 20-21 when the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) holds its inaugural meeting to add their collective wisdom and lessons to the growing cooperation between governments in this dynamic region. The U.S.-ASEAN Eminent Persons Group, composed of prominent individuals from all ASEAN member states and the United …

U.S. Ambassador to ASEAN David Carden joined Ambassadors from the ASEAN Committee of Permanent Representatives (CPR) for a reception on board the USS Blue Ridge, the command and control ship for the U.S. Seventh Fleet. “It is truly an honor for us to welcome members of the ASEAN CPR on board the USS Blue Ridge,” …

Ambassador Carden was the keynote speaker at a breakfast roundtable on May 2, 2012 hosted by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.  To a packed audience, the Ambassador remarked on the evolution of US-ASEAN relations, why the U.S. is engaging ASEAN, and the critical importance of multilateralism in the 21st century.

Statement by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton: “I’ve been following today’s parliamentary bi-elections with great interest. While the results have not yet been announced, the United States congratulates the people who participated, many for the first time, in the campaign and election process. We are committed to supporting these reform efforts. Going forward, it …

Amb. David Carden addresses delegates at the APCAC 2012 U.S.-Asia Business Summit, held on March 2, 2012 in Tokyo, Japan.

1. We, the Heads of State/Government of Brunei Darussalam, the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Republic of Indonesia, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, the Republic of the Philippines, the Republic of Singapore, the Kingdom of Thailand and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, the Member States of the …

Remarks by Ambassador David Carden at the 3rd ASEAN Food Security Conference, Jakarta, October 3, 2011. (As prepared for delivery) The honorable Minister of Agriculture from Indonesia, Dr. Suswono; Deputy Secretary-General for the ASEAN Economic Community, Mr. Sundram Pushpanathan; friends from business and civil society; development partners, colleagues; On behalf of the U.S. government and …

Thank you General Anwar for the kind introduction, and thank you distinguished colleagues for allowing me to address you today as we begin this important conference. I am especially grateful to our Indonesian hosts here in Makassar for their gracious hospitality, and I appreciate the continued efforts by all members of the Expert’s Working Group …

On-the-Record Remarks by Ambassador David Carden on U.S.-ASEAN Engagement The Asia Foundation September 15, 2011 (As Delivered) First off, thank you very much for the opportunity to be here. I look forward to speaking to this group as often as I can. While I have only been in Jakarta about six months, every day there is worth …

I am delighted to join you this evening. I thank the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council for bringing us together. As many of you know, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations has existed since 1967, when it was founded by its five original members. In preparing for my present position, I became a student of its history and its …

Jakarta – The Human Rights Resource Centre for ASEAN (HRRCA) has moved to its new office at the Depok Campus, University of Indonesia. The United States supported the HRRCA’s establishment in 2010 and will continue to support human rights research and training in 2011.        

His Excellency Patralis Akbar, Minister for Law and Human Rights; esteemed members of the Human Rights Resource Center for ASEAN Governing Board; esteemed representative Houmayoun Alizadeh; Professor Gumilar Somantri, Rector, University of Indonesia; and Ambassadors Clugston and Walker. It is a great pleasure to be with you all today to celebrate the launch of the …

On Friday, October 15, ASEAN Secretariat staff and members of the diplomatic community gathered to celebrate ASEAN’s achievements in the past year.  Amidst tense budget deliberations for the year ahead, the ASEAN Committee of Permanent Representatives and their staff enjoyed a brief respite.  The ASEC Band, led by ASEAN Deputy  Secretary General for Community and …