US and ASEAN leaders issue statement establishing comprehensive strategic partnership

The statement said that the leaders of ASEAN member countries and the United States met on the occasion of the 10th ASEAN-US Summit and the 45th anniversary of ASEAN-US dialogue relations in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The statement emphasized the US's support for ASEAN's central role in the regional architecture, peace, stability, security and prosperity, as well as the integration and community building process of ASEAN. The countries reaffirmed the importance of adhering to the principles and shared values ​​​​embodied in the United Nations Charter, the ASEAN Charter, the Declaration on the Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality, the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone, and the ASEAN Indo-Pacific Vision.

US President Joe Biden. Photo: Getty.

On this occasion, the US leaders and ASEAN countries announced the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership to expand areas of cooperation that are vital to the prosperity and security of their peoples. This mechanism supports ASEAN's goal of implementing the ASEAN Indo-Pacific Vision through existing ASEAN-led mechanisms. This mechanism also promotes maritime cooperation through ASEAN-led mechanisms by maintaining freedom of navigation and overflight, resolving disputes peacefully on the basis of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and promoting cooperation and coordination among competent agencies to enhance maritime domain awareness, search and rescue, protection, restoration, sustainable management of the marine environment and maritime security.

The US and ASEAN countries also announced to strengthen substantive cooperation in areas including humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, maritime security, counter-terrorism, peacekeeping operations, military medicine and cyber security. In addition, the countries will also promote stability, peace, prosperity and sustainable development in the Mekong sub-region through joint initiatives within the framework of the Mekong-US Partnership.

Speaking at the ASEAN-US summit, US President Joe Biden emphasized the importance of ASEAN and affirmed US support for ASEAN's central role.

“ASEAN is the heart of America’s Indo-Pacific strategy, and we continue to strengthen our commitment to a united and empowered ASEAN,” said President Biden. “Today, we took an important step and began a new era of cooperation with the establishment of the US-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Together, we will tackle the biggest issues of our time, from climate change to health security; counter threats to the rules-based order and the rule of law; and build a free, open, stable, prosperous, sustainable, and secure Indo-Pacific.”

On this occasion, President Biden announced an additional $850 million in support for the ASEAN region in 2023 to promote substantive and effective cooperation between the two sides./.