Washington: 1 August 2021 (TDI)
The Secretary of the United States of America, Antony J. Blinken will be participating in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) related five virtual ministerial meetings that are planned to take place from August 2 to August 6. The ministerial meetings will be the U.S.-ASEAN, East Asia Summit (EAS), ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), Mekong-U.S. Partnership, and Friends of the Mekong.
While attending these meetings, Secretary Blinken will exchange views with the Indo-Pacific leaders, specifically about different regional and international key issues. He will reiterate the US’ determination to support ASEAN centrality and to work with different international partners, including ASEAN, in the fight against the pandemic and to promote economic recovery.
Moreover, he will be highlighting the urgency to counter the climate challenge, the US support for freedom of the seas, and international law, like UNCLOS. The critical situation of Burma will also be addressed by him. He will urge ASEAN to work together for ending the violence, revoking unjust detentions, and promoting democracy.
