United states: United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio has reaffirmed Washington’s enduring commitment to ASEAN, describing the regional bloc as the ‘preeminent mechanism’ for US engagement in the Indo-Pacific. Rubio emphasised ASEAN’s central role in shaping the US foreign policy approach to the region, asserting that Southeast Asia cannot be sidelined amid ongoing global challenges.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Rubio made these remarks during his opening statement at the ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference with the US, coinciding with the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and Related Meetings. The conference, hosted under Malaysia’s 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship, was co-chaired by Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Prak Sokhonn.
Rubio highlighted ASEAN’s role as a key platform for dialogue and cooperation with the United States. He reiterated that ASEAN comprises sovereign, independent states with which the US has longstanding relationships and partnerships. He assured that these relationships would continue to be strengthened without the need for approval from any other actor in the region or globally.
The US Secretary of State also underscored Washington’s commitment to a free, open, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific, aligning with US national priorities. Rubio welcomed the progress made in advancing the ASEAN-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which he believes reflects decades of collaboration and shared goals.
Sokhonn noted that the ASEAN-US partnership has remained resilient and increasingly vital in the face of global uncertainty and complex transnational challenges. He stated that the elevation of ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2022 has led to significant achievements in several key cooperation areas.
Over the years, ASEAN and the United States have developed a relationship that is both broad and deep, encompassing collaboration in economic sectors, innovation, combating transnational crime, maritime cooperation, health security, and vibrant people-to-people exchanges. Sokhonn emphasised that these efforts collectively demonstrate confidence in the enduring future of their strategic partnership.
Formal relations between ASEAN and the US were established in 1977, with ties upgraded to a Strategic Partnership in 2015 and further elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2022.