Press Release

Representative Ami Bera, M.D. (D-CA), Chairman of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, Central Asia, and Nonproliferation, released the following statement on the announcement of the upcoming U.S.-ASEAN Special Summit:

"As someone deeply invested in the U.S. relationship with Southeast Asia, I am glad President Biden will host leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for a U.S.-ASEAN Special Summit on May 12-13. Southeast Asia remains one of the world's fastest-growing, most dynamic regions, and ASEAN countries have been crucial partners in advancing our shared interests and values in the Indo-Pacific.

Our countries have worked closely throughout the years to deepen and strengthen our economic and diplomatic partnerships, and to jointly confront traditional and nontraditional security threats. As we commemorate the 45^th anniversary of our partnership, the Special Summit will be an opportunity to further the U.S.-ASEAN strategic partnership and to jointly respond to pressing challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing erosion of sovereignty and international norms, and regional challenges to economic freedom and prosperity.

I look forward to continuing to work with the Administration as well as respective ASEAN capitals to promoting sustainable economic recovery, people-to-people ties, and the democratic norms and values of human rights and basic freedoms that are foundational to our enduring relationship."