PRESS RELEASE
U.S. Mission to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Participates
in the 12th ASEAN-U.S. Joint Cooperation Committee Meeting
Jakarta, March 17, 2021 – U.S. Mission to ASEAN Chargé d’Affaires Melissa A. Brown and Lao PDR Ambassador Ekkaphab Phanthavong co-hosted the 12th ASEAN-U.S. Joint Cooperation Committee Meeting. The meeting reviewed U.S. cooperation with ASEAN and highlighted the 2016-2020 Plan of Action achievements and the 2021-2025 Plan of Action.
The ASEAN-U.S. Joint Consultative Committee discussed U.S. support of the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework, as well as U.S. support for the key areas of cooperation under the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo Pacific, including maritime cooperation, connectivity, UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030, and economic and other areas to contribute to peace, prosperity, and development in the region. This year’s virtual gathering provided an opportunity to discuss U.S. support for human rights throughout the region, including in the Mekong River Delta and Burma. Chargé d’Affaires Brown shared U.S. concerns about the military coup in Burma and affirmed that the United States will continue to discuss the crisis with a broad coalition of countries and urged partners, allies, and others to act constructively to help end ongoing violence.
During the meeting, the United States also shared achievements in U.S.-ASEAN cooperation regarding maritime security and maritime domain awareness, nuclear non-proliferation, the countering of violent extremism, and the curbing of transnational crime, including international economic crime, illicit timber and wildlife trafficking, and the illegal drug trade. Ongoing efforts demonstrate the dependable and enduring partnership between the United States and ASEAN. The United States and ASEAN’s dialogue partnership since 1977 will continue; the 2021-2025 Plan of Action demonstrates the mutual resolve to address issues across ASEAN’s three pillars: political-security, economic, and socio-cultural.
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For media enquiries, contact:
Public Affairs Section
U.S. Mission the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
usaseanjakartapublicaffairs@state.gov
About the U.S. Mission to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
The U.S. Mission to ASEAN partners with ASEAN and related stakeholders to advance U.S. interests in a peaceful, prosperous, and integrated Southeast Asia that respects the rule of law, upholds the dignity of its people and actively addresses regional and global concerns.
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