His Majesty attended the 11th ASEAN-United States Summit along with other Leaders at the Jakarta Convention Centre, Republic of Indonesia. Accompanying His Majesty was His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Mateen. At the Summit, His Majesty in a titah acknowledges the United States' continued support for ASEAN's Community-building efforts, as well as in ensuring the region remains peaceful and prosperous. In this regard, His Majesty welcomes the ASEAN – U.S. Leaders' Statement on Cooperation on the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, which reaffirms commitment to advance practical cooperation, with ASEAN at its core. His Majesty also expresses appreciation to the United States for its continued emphasis on enhancing people-to-people connectivity and human capital development. The youth, as drivers of change, have the potential to further socio-economic progress. Therefore, His Majesty encourages both sides to explore internship opportunities and research collaborations for students across various leading fields.
His Majesty also welcomes the collaboration on climate change, by linking relevant agencies in the United States with the ASEAN Centre for Climate Change, through joint research, analysis and policy development. Meanwhile, Her Excellency Kamala Harris, Vice President of the United States, in her statement highlighted that by leveraging the United States' partnership with ASEAN, there are huge opportunities for growth through investments in digital economy, efforts to address climate change, and the establishment of the ASEAN-United States Centre in Washington D.C.
His Excellency Joko Widodo, President of the Republic of Indonesia and ASEAN Chair as Country Coordinator for ASEAN-United States Dialogue Relations, then delivered the ASEAN Common Statement, which encouraged the increase in food and energy security through cooperation in the fields of clean energy and in the agricultural sector. It is also hoped for the ASEAN-United States Centre to become a catalyst for people-to-people exchanges. At the Summit, Leaders welcomed the United States' positive role in the region and looked forward to further boosting cooperation in the areas of human capacity development, digitalisation, renewable energy and youth and women empowerment. At the end of the Summit, the ASEAN-U.S. Summit Leaders' Statement on Cooperation on the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific was adopted.
News courtesy of Radio Television Brunei
