Washington (FN), Jun. 11 – At the invitation of the Department of State of the United States (US), and with the support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Secretary General of ASEAN Kao Kim Hourn led the ASEAN Secretariat delegation to pay a working visit to the US on 10-13 June 2024.

On 10 June 2024, Secretary General of ASEAN started off his working visit in the US by meeting with the US Special Advisor on International Disability Rights Sara Minakara to discuss advancing disability rights across ASEAN. The discussions focused on strengthening ASEAN-US cooperation in promoting equal opportunities and fostering a more accessible region for persons with disabilities.

Kao Kim Hourn had a bilateral meeting with the US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell. They took stock of the robust progress of the ASEAN-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and discussed regional and international issues of mutual interest and concern. They also underscored support for Lao PDR’s Chairmanship of ASEAN this year.

Taking this occasion, Secretary General of ASEAN also held a discussion with the US Deputy National Security Advisor Anne Neuberger. They exchanged views on the expansion of the ASEAN-US cooperation on cybersecurity and emerging technologies, among others.

Kao Kim Hourn met with members of the ASEAN Committee in Washington D.C (ACW) over luncheon in Washington D.C. Kao Kim Hourn updated the Committee on the latest developments in ASEAN and ASEAN-US relations. He also expressed his appreciation for ACW’s important role in promoting the ASEAN-US partnership.

Taking this occasion, Secretary General of ASEAN met with Vice President for East Asia and Pacific Region of the World Bank Manuela V. Ferro at the World Bank Headquarters in Washington D.C, US. Ferro took the opportunity to brief on the World Bank’s initiatives related to the energy transition, vaccine security, and digital transformation, among others. They also discussed ongoing cooperation between ASEAN and the World Bank and explored possible collaboration in new areas.

Secretary General of ASEAN Kao Kim Hourn had a one-on-one meeting with the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to the US Suriya Chindawongse on the evening of 10 June 2024. The two sides candidly exchanged views on emerging regional and international issues that were of great interest and concern to ASEAN. They also discussed new ideas on how to make ASEAN-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership even more meaningful.
=FRESH NEWS