Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs welcomed the U.S.’ constructive role in the region and B3W initiative towards COVID-19 recovery while advocating BCG Economy Model as an area of collaboration at the Special ASEAN-U.S. Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

On 14 July 2021, H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, participated in the Special ASEAN-U.S. Foreign Ministers’ Meeting via video conference. The Meeting was co-chaired by H.E. Mr. Saleumxay Kommasith, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lao PDR (as Country Coordinator for ASEAN-U.S. Dialogue Relations) and H.E. Mr. Antony Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State. Also present was the Secretary-General of ASEAN.

The Meeting discussed the advancement of the ASEAN-U.S. Strategic Partnership towards COVID-19 recovery. In this regard, the U.S. reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing global access to vaccines through bilateral donations and COVAX Facility. The Meeting also highlighted ASEAN-U.S. cooperation in other areas, such as trade and investment, infrastructure development, digital development, human capital development, gender equality and climate change. The Meeting also exchanged views on regional and international issues, where the U.S. emphasised that ASEAN and the U.S. have shared interest and vision of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.

The Deputy Prime Minister supported the U.S.’ constructive role in the region, and underscored that ASEAN could be a venue where key players in the region reconnect and promote win-win cooperation. He also welcomed “Build Back Better World” (B3W) initiative and the U.S.’ climate change agenda, and proposed that the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy Model could be possible areas for collaboration.

The Meeting was an important opportunity for taking forward a closer Strategic Partnership and promoting practical cooperation between ASEAN and the new U.S. administration.