26th edition of ASEAN-US Talks

The ASEAN-U.S. Dialogue took place recently in Washington D.C., where Senior Officials from all ten ASEAN Member States, the ASEAN Secretariat and the United States met to discuss pressing regional issues across ASEAN’s political-security, economic, and socio-cultural pillars.

The annual dialogue is a reflection of the strong and enduring relationship between ASEAN and the United States—now in its 36th year; and as an opportunity for senior officials from ASEAN and the United States to convene and discuss ways to further enhance ASEAN-U.S. partnership.

The Meeting discussed a wide range of issues in the ASEAN-U.S. relationship, including maritime security, transnational crime, humanitarian assistance/disaster relief, the ASEAN-U.S. Expanded Economic Engagement (E3) Initiative, energy, education, rule of law, and development in the Lower Mekong Sub-region.

The Senior Officials also discussed preparations for the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference (PMC) Session with the United States, and the first ever inaugural ASEAN-U.S. Summit scheduled later this year. They agreed to hold the 27th ASEAN-U.S. Dialogue in Myanmar in 2014.