U.S. Mission to ASEAN

UNLOCKING A COMMON VISION FOR A MORE SECURE, SUSTAINABLE, AND INCLUSIVE SOUTHEAST ASIA

BACKGROUND

Partnership between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United States government (USG) is key to enhancing human security, resilience, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. Therefore, the USG has been a trusted partner of ASEAN since 1977.

Collectively, the diverse and dynamic ASEAN member states boast the world’s third largest population and fifth largest economy. Guided by aspirations detailed in the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and drawing upon the Sustainable Development Goals, ASEAN member states work together to set policies to build stability, prosperity, and resiliency in the ASEAN region. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in partnership with ASEAN, works to strengthen collective capacity to meet complex 21st century global and regional challenges to advance security and rights for ASEAN’s more than 662 million people.

Through the ASEAN-USAID Partnership for Regional Optimization within the Political-Security and Socio-Cultural Communities (PROSPECT) project (2018 – 2023), the U.S. supports ASEAN efforts to enhance regional policies, cooperation, and capacity across its member states and partners to tackle shared challenges and strengthen common values. The ASEAN-USAID PROSPECT project contributes to the U.S.-ASEAN collaboration on combating transnational crime and nontraditional security threats, promoting responsive and transparent governance, and expanding rights and opportunities for women and youth across Southeast Asia.

PRIORITIES

ADDRESSING TRANSNATIONAL CRIMES AND NON-TRADITIONAL SECURITY THREATS
ASEAN-USAID PROSPECT collaborates with ASEAN, civil society, and development partners to strengthen regional policies, systems, and capabilities to effectively coordinate on transnational threats, including: Countering violent extremism; Trafficking in persons and wildlife; and Preparedness for public health emergencies and natural disasters. In addition, ASEAN-USAID PROSPECT assists ASEAN efforts to strengthen governance, rule of law, compliance with ASEAN conventions and agreements, and facilitates civil society engagement in ASEAN policymaking. To ensure inclusive and connected ASEAN communities, ASEAN-USAID PROSPECT provides technical assistance promoting gender equality, human rights, and youth leadership.

KEY RESULTS

● Facilitated multi-stakeholder engagement and exchange leading to the establishment or enhanced implementation of 15 regional laws, policies and resources related to anti-trafficking in persons, natural disaster management, promoting gender equality, civil society engagement, and other social protections.

● Provided technical expertise and management to ASEAN counter-terrorism officials. Follow-up support resulted in the 2nd ASEAN-U.S. Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism Workshop and Bali Work Plan Multi-sectoral Task Force and Partners Meetings in 2022 to address emerging trends for work plan implementation. Follow-on meetings are planned for mid-2023.

● Advanced regional dialogue and cooperation on social protections and human rights across key stakeholders from government, civil society, and private sector.

● Developed and implemented training programs for youth from ASEAN countries to bolster their leadership and technical skills. The training raised awareness and mobilized youth from different communities on promoting inclusion and tolerance, access to healthcare during the pandemic, and sustainable development goals. Initiatives include competitions such as the ASEAN Youth Social Journalism and ASEAN Youth Video contests.

CONTACT