ASEAN Remains ‘Preeminent Mechanism’ In US Indo-Pacific Engagement - Rubio

By Nabilah Saleh

KUALA LUMPUR, July 10 (Bernama) -- United States (US) 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.

“This century and the next - the story of the next 50 years will largely be written here,” he said, pointing to the region’s youth and economic potential as critical factors shaping its future growth.

Rubio said this in his opening statement during the ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference with the US, held in conjunction with the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) and Related Meetings on Tuesday, hosted under Malaysia’s 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship.

The session was co-chaired by Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Prak Sokhonn.

Rubio also highlighted ASEAN’s role as a key platform for dialogue and cooperation with the United States.

“We consider it (ASEAN) to be sovereign, independent states with whom we have longstanding relationships and partnerships, and these are relationships and partnerships that we intend to continue to build on without seeking the approval or permission of any other actor in the region or the world,” he said.

He also reiterated the US commitment to a free, open, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific, in line with Washington’s national priorities.

“The United States is a committed partner to ASEAN. It is central to the regional architecture that shapes these dynamics,” Rubio said.

He further welcomed progress in advancing the ASEAN-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which he said reflects decades of collaboration and shared goals.

Meanwhile, Sokhonn noted that the ASEAN-US partnership has remained resilient and increasingly vital in the face of global uncertainty and complex transnational challenges.

He said the elevation of ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2022 has led to concrete achievements across key areas of cooperation.

Sokhonn said over the years, ASEAN and the United States have built a relationship that is broad in scope and deep in substance, encompassing collaboration in economic, innovation, combating transnational crime, maritime cooperation, health security and vibrant people-to-people exchanges.

“Together, these efforts demonstrate our collective confidence in the enduring future of our strategic partnership,” he added.

ASEAN and the US established formal relations in 1977. Ties were upgraded to a Strategic Partnership in 2015 and further elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2022.

-- BERNAMA