The Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) indicated that the 17th meeting of the Joint ASEAN-US Cooperation Committee was held on May 18 in Jakarta.
The ambassador T. Thi Ngoc Huong, head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to ASEAN, participated in the meeting alongside ambassadors and permanent representatives of ASEAN member states as well as the charge d’affaires of the American Mission to ASEAN.
The acting charge d’affaires of the American Mission to ASEAN, Joy Sakura, stated that ASEAN remains one of the essential partners of the United States in the Indo-Pacific region. Washington continues to support ASEAN’s central role and cooperate with the organization to promote a “free and open” region, as well as to sustainably preserve peace, stability, and prosperity.
The United States reiterated its commitment to maintaining an active presence and substantial engagement in the region, particularly through ASEAN-led mechanisms. Cooperation focuses on maritime security, supply chain stability – especially in energy, strategic minerals, and semiconductors sectors -, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, human resource development, cybersecurity, combatting online scams, and disaster management.
ASEAN countries and the United States welcomed the completion of all actions outlined in the 2021-2025 Action Plan, which strengthened concrete cooperation across the three pillars of the ASEAN Community. Both parties agreed to accelerate the development of a new work plan to implement the ASEAN-US Common Vision Statement, in preparation for the 50th anniversary of their relations in 2027.
In terms of economic and trade matters, the two parties reaffirmed their commitment to promoting comprehensive, modern, and sustainable economic cooperation, focusing on digital trade, trade facilitation, enhancing supply chain connectivity, and supporting micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. They also agreed to expand cooperation in emerging areas such as the digital economy, artificial intelligence, green technologies, renewable energies, semiconductors, strategic minerals, and advanced industry.
The director of the ASEAN-US Center at the University of Arizona presented several cooperation programs in digital, cybersecurity, education, innovation, people-to-people exchanges, and human resource development to strengthen the ASEAN-US partnership and promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.
On regional and international issues, the United States informed participants about developments in tensions with Iran and their approach to crisis areas worldwide and in the region. Washington emphasized the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea. ASEAN countries expressed concerns about the implications of the conflict in the Middle East on regional economy and energy security, while welcoming the ceasefire and calling on involved parties to prioritize dialogue for a peaceful solution.
During the meeting, ambassador T. Thi Ngoc Huong reaffirmed the importance of the ASEAN-US global strategic partnership and the role of the United States in the region. She highlighted the strong potential for mutually beneficial cooperation between the two parties and hoped for a swift finalization of the new work plan, focusing on trade, investment, digital economy, artificial intelligence, new technologies, energy, combating online fraud, disaster management, and human resource development.
She also announced the organization of the ASEAN Future Forum 2026, scheduled to take place in Hanoi from June 8 to 10, 2026, and invited American representatives to participate.
