Washington, DC (Sept 28, 2023) – The East-West Center launched the sixth edition of its ASEAN Matters for America/America Matters for ASEAN publication at the Rayburn House Office Building to highlight Congress's important role in strengthening US-ASEAN relations. The publication was a collaboration between the East-West Center, the US-ASEAN Business Council, and the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute.

The sixth edition features insightful infographics, data, and analysis of economic, diplomatic, and cultural interactions and impacts at the national, state, and local levels, highlighting the deep and growing ties between the United States and ASEAN.

Dr. Satu Limaye, Vice President of the East-West Center and Director of the Center's Washington and Research programs, kicked off the event by saying, "We could not have produced this publication without the continued support of our partners at the US-ASEAN Business Council, the ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute, and the entire East-West Center in Washington team.”

The event brought together members of Congress and their staff, US government officials, the private sector, regional experts, and the interested public to celebrate the deep and rich partnerships between the United States and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

"ASEAN is a major economic and security player in the region," said His Excellency Rosan Roeslani, Ambassador of Indonesia to the United States. "Our trade and investment ties are stronger than ever before."

"ASEAN is a key partner for US trade and investment," said Ambassador Ted Osius, President & CEO of the US-ASEAN Business Council. "The US and ASEAN exchange $508 billion in goods and services annually, and ASEAN is the number one destination for US investment in the Indo-Pacific. While ASEAN is a valuable trade partner for the United States, with four ASEAN nations in America's top twenty trade partners, its strategic importance is also growing. In quarter one of this year, almost 50% of all the semiconductor chips imported into the United States came from four ASEAN nations, led by Malaysia."

"Deepening our commitment to ASEAN is at the core of our Indo-Pacific strategy," said Robert Koepcke, Director of the Office of Mainland Southeast Asia at the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, US Department of State. "ASEAN is at the core of those interests."

The launch event included remarks from prominent US government officials, private sector representatives, and experts, including:

• Rep. Ami Bera (CA-6), Member, US Congressional Caucus on ASEAN
• Shaun Garrison, Senior Manager, Federal & Diplomatic Government Relations, The Coca-Cola Company
• Ambassador Piper Campbell, Chair, Department of Foreign Policy & Global Security, American University School of International Service
• Lilibeth Almonte-Arbez, Senior Director for Maritime Southeast Asia, International Trade Policy, US-ASEAN Business Council
• Ambassador Robert Blake, Senior Managing Director, McLarty Associates
• Anthony Nelson, Associate Partner, East Asia & Pacific Practice, Albright Stonebridge Group

The new ASEAN Matters for America/America Matters for ASEAN edition is available on the Asia Matters for America website.

The event was generously sponsored by Platinum Sponsor The Coca-Cola Company; GoldSponsors Vinfast, Expedia Group, and Chevron; and Silver Sponsors Energy Capital Vietnam, Citi, AIG, Marriott International, and Boeing.

Washington, DC (Sept 28, 2023) – The East-West Center launched the sixth edition of its ASEAN Matters for America/America Matters for ASEAN publication at the Rayburn House Office Building to highlight Congress's important role in strengthening US-ASEAN relations. The publication was a collaboration between the East-West Center, the US-ASEAN Business Council, and the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute.

The sixth edition features insightful infographics, data, and analysis of economic, diplomatic, and cultural interactions and impacts at the national, state, and local levels, highlighting the deep and growing ties between the United States and ASEAN.

Dr. Satu Limaye, Vice President of the East-West Center and Director of the Center's Washington and Research programs, kicked off the event by saying, "We could not have produced this publication without the continued support of our partners at the US-ASEAN Business Council, the ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute, and the entire East-West Center in Washington team.”

The event brought together members of Congress and their staff, US government officials, the private sector, regional experts, and the interested public to celebrate the deep and rich partnerships between the United States and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

"ASEAN is a major economic and security player in the region," said His Excellency Rosan Roeslani, Ambassador of Indonesia to the United States. "Our trade and investment ties are stronger than ever before."

"ASEAN is a key partner for US trade and investment," said Ambassador Ted Osius, President & CEO of the US-ASEAN Business Council. "The US and ASEAN exchange $508 billion in goods and services annually, and ASEAN is the number one destination for US investment in the Indo-Pacific. While ASEAN is a valuable trade partner for the United States, with four ASEAN nations in America's top twenty trade partners, its strategic importance is also growing. In quarter one of this year, almost 50% of all the semiconductor chips imported into the United States came from four ASEAN nations, led by Malaysia."

"Deepening our commitment to ASEAN is at the core of our Indo-Pacific strategy," said Robert Koepcke, Director of the Office of Mainland Southeast Asia at the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, US Department of State. "ASEAN is at the core of those interests."

The launch event included remarks from prominent US government officials, private sector representatives, and experts, including:

• Rep. Ami Bera (CA-6), Member, US Congressional Caucus on ASEAN
• Shaun Garrison, Senior Manager, Federal & Diplomatic Government Relations, The Coca-Cola Company
• Ambassador Piper Campbell, Chair, Department of Foreign Policy & Global Security, American University School of International Service
• Lilibeth Almonte-Arbez, Senior Director for Maritime Southeast Asia, International Trade Policy, US-ASEAN Business Council
• Ambassador Robert Blake, Senior Managing Director, McLarty Associates
• Anthony Nelson, Associate Partner, East Asia & Pacific Practice, Albright Stonebridge Group

The new ASEAN Matters for America/America Matters for ASEAN edition is available on the Asia Matters for America website.

The event was generously sponsored by Platinum Sponsor The Coca-Cola Company; GoldSponsors Vinfast, Expedia Group, and Chevron; and Silver Sponsors Energy Capital Vietnam, Citi, AIG, Marriott International, and Boeing.