Upon invitation by U.S. President Barack Obama, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha will attend the ASEAN-U.S. Special Summit on 14 – 18 February 2016 in Sunnylands, Rancho Mirage, California.

This Summit will mark the first meeting between the Leaders of ASEAN Member States and the U.S. since the formal establishment of the ASEAN Community and the elevation of the ASEAN-U.S. Dialogue Relations to a ‘Strategic Partnership’.

The Summit will consist of 3 sessions: a retreat under the theme “Promoting Regional Prosperity through Innovation and Entrepreneurship”, a working dinner to discuss the regional strategic outlook, and another retreat under the theme “Protecting Peace, Prosperity, and Security in the Asia-Pacific”.

The Leaders are expected to discuss ways to enhance the ASEAN-U.S. Strategic Partnership in all dimensions. The main topics will likely include the U.S.’s constructive role in the region and its “rebalancing” policy, as well as ASEAN’s central role in the region. Other issues on the agenda include economic cooperation, sustainable development, cooperation on non-traditional security issues and transnational challenges.

As the Leaders gather in California, Thailand and ASEAN expect that the Summit will help raise U.S. public awareness of the ASEAN Community. In addition, Thailand anticipates that the Summit will help shore up international confidence in Thailand, particularly among U.S. investors.