Asia Society Policy Institute White Paper on U.S.-ASEAN Partnership Launched in Washington
Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel G. Romualdez hosts the launch of a white paper by the Asia Society Policy Institute on “The Role of the U.S.-ASEAN Partnership on Building a Free and Open Indo-Pacific” on 19 June 2018 at the Philippine Chancery Annex Building. (Washington PE photo)
WASHINGTON, D.C. 26 June 2018 – As the current Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Washington (ACW), the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. under the leadership of Ambassador Jose Manuel G. Romualdez hosted the launch of a white paper by the Asia Society Policy Institute (ASPI) on “The Role of the U.S.-ASEAN Partnership on Building a Free and Open Indo-Pacific” on 19 June 2018.
“Coming on the heels of the 40th Anniversary of ASEAN-U.S. relations last year, this white paper will be of valuable use as we chart where our cooperation should lead in the coming years given the many challenges and opportunities prevalent and foreseeable in our dynamic region,” Ambassador Romualdez said in his opening remarks.
Ms. Josette Sheeran, President and CEO of Asia Society, presented the key points of the white paper, underscoring the importance of facilitating exchanges and discussions that would foster mutual understanding between the regional grouping and the United States.
Key stakeholders welcomed and recognized the value of the practical recommendations contained in the white paper.
The document, which represents a culmination of a series of productive working group meetings between representatives of the ASEAN Embassies in Washington, U.S. Government officials, congressional staff and various experts from the think-tank community, offers ideas on how to strengthen the U.S.-ASEAN partnership within the context of the politico-security, economic and socio-cultural pillars, and in the face of emerging national, regional and global challenges.
Those who shared their views and observations during the discussion segment include Ms. Sheryl Shum, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Singapore; Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary W. Patrick Murphy, U.S. Department of State; Mr. Danny Meza, Legislative Director, Office of Representative Joaquin Castro (Texas); Ambassador Chang Heng Chee, Asia Society Global Chair and Singapore Ambassador-at-Large; Mr. Alexander Feldman, President and CEO, U.S.-ASEAN Business Council; and Ambassador John Negroponte, member of the Board of Trustees, Asia Society. Ms. Lindsey Ford, ASPI Director and principal author of the white paper, moderated the discussion.
Singapore is the current chair and host of ASEAN, while Representative Castro co-chairs the Congressional Caucus on ASEAN.
Ms. Wendy Cutler, ASPI Vice President and Managing Director, delivered the closing remarks.
The participants had a pre-dinner viewing of the “Hibla ng Lahing Filipino” (Textiles of the Filipino People) exhibit featuring piña-seda cloths from the Philippines. END
For more information, visit www.washingtonpe.dfa.gov.ph/ www.philippineembassy-usa.org or https://www.facebook.com/PHinUSA @philippinesusa on Twitter
Ms. Josette Sheeran, President and CEO of Asia Society, presents the key points of the white paper on “The Role of the U.S.-ASEAN Partnership on Building a Free and Open Indo-Pacific” on 19 June 2018 at the Philippine Chancery Annex Building. (Washington PE photo)
Ambassador John Negroponte, member of the Board of Trustees, Asia Society; Ambassador Chang Heng Chee, Asia Society Global Chair and Singapore Ambassador-at-Large; Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel G. Romualdez; and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State W. Patrick Murphy listen during “the Role of the U.S.-ASEAN Partnership on Building A Free and Open Indo-Pacific” White paper forum. (Washington PE photo)
Mr. Danny Meza, Legislative Director, Office of Representative Joaquin Castro (Texas), shares feedback on the ASPI white paper. Rep. Joaquin Castro co-chairs the Congressional Caucus on ASEAN, together with Rep. Ann Wagner (Missouri). (Washington PE photo)
Ms. Wendy Cutler, ASPI Vice President and Managing Director delivers the closing remarks at the launch of the white paper on “The Role of the US-ASEAN Partnership on Building a Free and Open Indo-Pacific” on 19 June 2018 at the Philippine Chancery Annex Building. (Washington PE photo)