Jakarta (VNA) – US Vice President Kamala Harris onSeptember 6 affirmed that the US has an enduring commitment to Southeast Asia and, morebroadly, to the Indo-Pacific. 

Addressing the 11th ASEAN-US Summit inJakarta, Indonesia, Harris saidASEAN is at the centre of the US’ commitments to the Indo-Pacific. 

“And I’m pleased thatour collective vision for the Indo-Pacific is in strong alignment,” she said.

“To further strengthen our ties, I’m alsopleased that our ambassador to ASEAN, Yohannes Abraham, is here inJakarta.  He has been a close advisor to President Biden and to me sincewe took office, and I know his leadership will help make progress on the manyissues we will discuss today.”

Toensure this elevated partnership reaches its full potential, the leaders ofASEAN and the US are announcing their intent to establish, through apublic-private partnership, the first-ever US-ASEAN Centre in Washington,DC, according to the Vice President.

The centre willfacilitate official ASEAN engagements and support further exchange between people,businesses, and academic institutions, she said.

In his opening remarks, IndonesianPresident Joko Widodo – ASEAN Chair 2023 – said Southeast Asia is a very promising region,noting it is predicted that in 2045 it will be the heart of international tradeand contributing 5.4% to the global GDP.

Therefore, sustainable and solidpartnership between ASEAN and the US certainly will benefit both sides.

“Butthe partnership will only be possible through a strong commitment by bothparties in maintaining regional peace and stability,” he stressed.

ASEAN has agreed tocontinue functioning as the locomotive of peace and stability in the region,where Indo-Pacific must become a platform for collaboration, the Presidentcontinued.

“On that note, ASEANinvites the US to be a positive force, to create an Indo-Pacific that is peaceful,stable, and prosperous through inclusive concrete cooperation,” he said./.