Minister: ASEAN-US Special Summit Agrees on Joint Vision Statement

President Jokowi Friday (05/13) attends ASEAN-US Special Summit at US Department of State in Washington DC. (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/Laily Rachev)

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi revealed that the ASEAN-US Special Summit in Washington DC agreed on the ASEAN-US Joint Vision Statement.

“As the coordinator, Indonesia led the negotiating process of this vision statement. The Summit agreed in principle to reinforce ASEAN-US partnership from a strategic partnership to a comprehensive strategic partnership,” Retno said in a press statement, Friday (05/13) local time.

The Foreign Minister stated that the detailed discussions regarding this partnership will continue and is planned to be launched at the ASEAN-US Summit in November.

In addition, the ASEAN-US Joint Vision Statement stated the commitment of both countries to bolster cooperation in various strategic sectors. These commitments include, first, reinforcing cooperation in pandemic recovery and health security in order to strengthen regional health resilience through the ASEAN-US Health Futures Initiative.

“The US supports ASEAN to strengthen sustainable manufacturing capacity for essential medical products and joint research,” she said.

Second, increasing economic cooperation and connectivity, among others to facilitate the strengthening of regional supply chain and connectivity for medical devices, drugs, vaccines, and agricultural commodities, to encourage progress in sustainable transportation including electric vehicles, to strengthen cyber security capacity and to promote inclusive digital literacy.

Third, strengthening cooperation in tackling climate change. The Foreign Minister stated that through the US-ASEAN Climate Futures program, funds were allocated to support implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) from ASEAN countries.

“In addition, public-private partnerships are also encouraged to support the acceleration of clean energy transition, among others through financing, blended finance, and technology transfer schemes,” she said.

Fourth, reinforcing educational cooperation, including strengthening collaboration between universities and companies. The Minister said that through the Billion Futures program, funds were allocated to improve education development and teacher training as well as to promote gender mainstreaming.

“Fifth, increasing maritime cooperation through ASEAN-led mechanisms in the form of strengthening coordination between maritime law enforcement agencies in maritime domain awareness, search and rescue, maritime security, and eradication of IUU (illegal, unreported, and unregulated) fishing,” the Minister stated.

The ASEAN-US Special Summit was joined by US President Joe Biden, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, and other ASEAN country leaders. The Summit aims to strengthen concrete cooperation between ASEAN and the US to contribute to peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.

“The whole series of events went smoothly. The discussions were conducted in a very open manner. Discussions or meetings are held not only with the government, but also with the congress and business people,” she remarked. (FID/UN) (FI/MMB)