AKP Phnom Penh, April 23, 2025 --

As the Country Coordinator for ASEAN-U.S. Relations 2024-2027, Cambodia hosted the 37th ASEAN-U.S. Dialogue in Siem Reap province successfully on April 22, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MFAIC)’s news release. 

The meeting, co-chaired by H.E. Kung Phoak, Secretary of State at the MFAIC and ASEAN SOM Leader of Cambodia, and H.E. Sean K. O'Neill, Senior Bureau Official for East Asian and Pacific Affairs and Acting U.S. SOM Leader, and attended by Senior Officials and Representatives from ASEAN Member States, Timor-Leste, and the ASEAN Secretariat, discussed the advancement of cooperation across a wide range of key areas under the framework of the ASEAN-U.S. Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP). 

The Dialogue reviewed the implementation progress of the ASEAN-U.S. Plan of Action 2021-2025 and engaged in forward-looking discussions on future cooperation under the ASEAN-U.S. CSP. 

Both sides reaffirmed their commitments to advancing collaboration in priority areas, particularly in addressing transnational crimes including drug trafficking and online scams, counterterrorism efforts, and enhancing cybersecurity cooperation. The Dialogue also looked forward to the timely conclusion of the ASEAN-U.S. Leaders' Joint Vision Statement to Promote a Stronger, Safer and More Prosperous America and ASEAN, which will be endorsed at the upcoming ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference with the U.S. in July 2025 and subsequently will be adopted at the 13th ASEAN-U.S. Summit, to be held in October 2025 in Malaysia.

On the ASEAN-U.S. Economic Partnership, the Dialogue underscored the importance of bolstering economic resilience and expanding private-sector collaboration to foster deeper trade and investment ties. Both parties reiterated their commitments to advancing the ASEAN-U.S. economic ties by expanding cooperation across key strategic sectors of mutual interest, including digital services and knowledge-based industries, food and agriculture, green technology, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and transportation infrastructure. ASEAN looked forward to the U.S.'s sustained support for the ASEAN Single Window, ASEAN Power Grid, and ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA).

Both sides expressed strong optimism about the future of ASEAN-U.S. cooperation for the shared benefits of the peoples of ASEAN and the U.S. The Dialogue also exchanged views on regional and global challenges of common concern and interest.

H.E. Kung Phoak commended the constructive and substantive discussions held during the Dialogue, as well as the valuable contributions of all participants. He reaffirmed Cambodia's commitment and readiness, in its capacity as the Country Coordinator for ASEAN-U.S. Relations 2024-2027 to work collaboratively with all stakeholders to advances hared priorities and cultivate a robust and forward-looking partnership.

By Heng Panha