Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs emphasised cooperation on vaccine distribution, digital development, and a balanced approach of the Bio-Circular-Green at the ASEAN-U.S. Foreign Ministers’ Meeting via video conference.

On 4 August 2021, H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, participated in the ASEAN-U.S. Foreign Ministers’ Meeting via videoconference during the 54th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and Related Meetings. H.E. Mr. Antony Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State, also attended the meeting.

The Meeting highlighted ASEAN-U.S. cooperation towards the COVID-19 recovery, as the U.S. announced USD 500,000 contribution to the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund. The Meeting also discussed other key areas of cooperation in taking forward the ASEAN-U.S. Strategic Partnership, including trade and investment, infrastructure development, human capital development, digital development and cybersecurity, public health, green economy and climate change. The Meeting also exchanged views on regional and international issues, where the U.S. reaffirmed its commitment to ASEAN Centrality in the regional architecture, and reiterated its readiness to work with ASEAN in promoting a free, open, inter-connected, resilient and secured Indo-Pacific region, as well as enhancing positive economic agenda.

DPM/FM Don welcomed the U.S. constructive role in the region, especially the efforts to respond better from COVID-19. He also suggested further collaboration between ASEAN and the U.S. on (1) ensuring reserve of regional vaccines and medical supplies to prepare for future public health emergencies (2) promoting strategic equilibrium in the region with ASEAN as a platform for fostering positive cooperation between all key players including major powers; (3) accelerating digital transformation which is an integral part of the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework; and (4) promoting a paradigm shift that focuses more on maintaining the balance between humans and nature. In this regard, the Deputy Prime Minister proposed that the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy Model could be a value-added dimension into the U.S. Build Back Better World (B3W) Initiative.

The Meeting concluded with the handover of the Country Coordinatorship for ASEAN-U.S. Dialogue Relations from Lao PDR to Indonesia, who will serve for the period of 2021-2024.

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