On 27 September 2013, Mr. Surapong Tovichakchaikul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, joined ASEAN ministerial colleagues and US Secretary of State John Kerry at the Informal ASEAN-US Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, held on the sidelines of the 68th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Mr. Surapong welcomed US efforts on Syria and expressed hope that the upcoming UNSC resolution would generate momentum for a political solution to the crisis.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister observed that the ASEAN-US partnership was mutually beneficial and closely intertwined, and the US’s presence and constructive role in the Asia-Pacific was crucial for regional peace, security, and prosperity.  He was particularly encouraged by the recent US-ASEAN Expanded Economic Engagement Initiative, which he felt would help promote inter-region trade and investment.  He also appreciated the various ASEAN-US activities under the Lower Mekong Initiative to enhance education, connectivity, environment, and agriculture.  Such collaboration, he believed, would support ASEAN’s integration and development efforts.

Mr. Surapong stressed that the US-ASEAN partnership must be responsive to the emerging non-traditional security challenges, including energy security and climate change.  He expressed support for President Obama’s initiative on green energy and said that ASEAN could learn and benefit from US best practices and expertise in the promotion and development of energy efficiency and renewable energy.  He also pointed out that US expertise and technical know-how on water resources management would enable the people of the region to adapt to the effects of climate change.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister also encouraged the US to help enhance regional capacity building on law enforcement through joint cooperation and training, including by setting up a network of International Law Enforcement Academies.  He commended the US’s active role in promoting global efforts to combat terrorism and said that closer ASEAN-US cooperation on cyber security would help immunize the region from possible threats emanating from cyber space.  He looked forward to greater cooperation between ASEAN and the US on capacity building and information sharing as well as development of IT infrastructure and integration of databases on transnational crime.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister reiterated Thailand’s support for constructive US engagement not only with ASEAN but also with the major powers in the region.  He hoped that the US would give ASEAN continued support for its efforts in maintaining positive momentum and a conducive environment towards an early conclusion of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.