US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken reaffirmed the US support for ASEAN’s central role and the group’s Outlook on the Indo-Pacific as part of the vision of the US for a free and open Indo-Pacific while addressing the ASEAN-US Foreign Ministers' Meeting on August 4.
US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken reaffirms the US support for ASEAN’s central role (Photo: VNA)
Washington DC (VNA) – US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken reaffirmed the US support for ASEAN’s central role and the group’s Outlookon the Indo-Pacific as part of the vision of the US for a free andopen Indo-Pacific while addressing the ASEAN-USForeign Ministers' Meeting on August 4.
At the meeting, Blinken and Foreign Ministers of ASEAN member countriesdiscussed pressing international and regional challenges, including fighting theCOVID-19 pandemic and climate change, solutions to human resource development,and the situation in Myanmar.
Blinken emphasised the US’s commitment to supply more than 500 million doses ofvaccines to the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI) for distributions to 92 low- and middle-incomecountries worldwide, as well as the African Union, through the COVAX (COVID-19Vaccines Global Access) Facility.
He noted that the US has sofar donated more than 23 million doses of vaccines and nearly 160 million USDto support ASEAN member countries to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Blinken announced that his country intends to contribute 500,000 USD to theASEAN COVID-19 Response Fund to support vaccine procurement, and it will also continueto assist the ASEAN Secretariat in developing an ASEAN Public Health Emergency CoordinationSystem.
He highlighted the importance of taking boldactions in the 2020s to address challenges related to the climate change crisis,and promote green recovery, emphasising the US’s support for the region to minimiseeconomic losses caused by the pandemic.
Blinken also underlined the need to develop human resources in ASEAN,while reaffirming his country’s consistentsupport for the next generation of ASEAN leaders, the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Academic Fellowship at Fulbright University Vietnam, among otherprogrammes./.
ASEAN wishes to enhance effective cooperation and close coordination with the international community and partners, including the US, in order to promptly and effectively cope with emerging challenges, including the COVID-19, thus maintaining a stable environment for countries to develop sustainably.
The strategic partnership between the US and ASEAN representing the aspirations of nearly a billion of people has never been stronger and is a partnership of “free, equal and independent nations” which respect one another’s sovereignty.
The United States has intensified its interactions with ASEAN this year partly because Vietnam has been assuming ASEAN 2020 Chairmanship, said Prof. Pankaj Jha from India’s O.P. Jindal Global University in his article published on modernpolicy.eu on December 22.
Chief Operating Officer of the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) David Marchick has stressed that DFC wants to play an active role in the development of Southeast Asia, with a big priority to the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS).
The forum featured two in-depth discussion sessions, engaging representatives from governments, think tanks, and businesses from both ASEAN and China, on how to forge closer ties for a common future.
The new FIFA Hub in Jakarta will not only support football development in Indonesia but also serve as a coordination centre for 21 football associations across Southeast and East Asia.
Minister Counselor Nguyen Hoang Nguyen reaffirmed Vietnam’s principled and consistent stance on the Palestine issue, calling for an immediate and lasting ceasefire across the entire Gaza Strip.
PM Anwar Ibrahim affirmed the determination of Malaysia, as ASEAN Chair for 2025, to utilise all viable regional mechanisms of the bloc and work with partners to de-escalate violence and restore a peace process led by Myanmar.
Talking to the Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Vietnam’s Revolutionary Press Day (June 21, 1925–2025), Nikulina, who is also a veteran journalist of Russia’s Sputnik News, emphasised the vital role of mainstream journalism in defending the truth and maintaining public trust.
The Ministry of Commerce reported that imports also rose 18% to 29.9 billion USD during the same period, resulting in a trade surplus of 1.1 billion USD. In May alone, Thailand posted a 4.6 billion USD trade surplus with the US and a 4.1 billion USD trade deficit with China.
The World Bank will provide a 2.1 billion USD financing package for Indonesia, focusing oncreating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and enhancing access to clean energy across the country.
Member states also reviewed progress on six priority areas for 2025, including the development of an underground cable framework, the follow-up agreement to the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA), the launch of the ASEAN Energy Efficiency Database, and the rollout of an investment platform for sustainable building initiatives.
In March, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with Formula 1 chief Stefano Domenicali and said Thailand would commission a feasibility study into hosting a Grand Prix on a Bangkok street circuit from 2028.
The proposed giant sea wall aligns with bilateral cooperation and has been designated a national priority, considering that several regions in Indonesia are experiencing land subsidence of 10–15 centimetres per year.
International flights were cancelled including Jetstar and Virgin Australia flights to cities across Australia, and flights of Air India, Air New Zealand, Singapore's TigerAir and China's Juneyao Airlines.
The partnership aims to strengthen collaboration in the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources, including gold, copper, and manganese, as well as in the development of steel, aluminum, and renewable energy industries.
The Thai cabinet has approved a seven-year EV bus leasing scheme proposed by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) for the capital, with an estimated cost of 15.35 billion THB (over 470 million USD).
Aircraft are prohibited from flying below 6,000 metres in the vicinity of the volcano, and should also remain alert to the presence of volcanic ash, which can disrupt flights.
Laos declared the transfer of the press management functions of five key media agencies and associated personnel to the Propaganda and Training Board of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee.
Univers said in a statement that the new centre will serve as a hub for innovation, bringing together digital intelligence and climate ambition to accelerate Sarawak's transition toward a low-carbon, tech-enabled economy.
The target is to be completely free from plastic waste within two years. This can only be achieved if all parties implement the initiative with strong discipline.
Indonesia is taking new steps to improve protections for fishery workers, amid concerns over low wages, harsh working conditions, and limited access to social welfare.
US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken reaffirms the US support for ASEAN’s central role (Photo: VNA) 
