During the Plenary Session Two of the ASEAN-U.S. Special Summit, His Majesty a titah expresses pleasure to be attending the first in-person ASEAN Summit with a Dialogue Partner since the outbreak of COVID-19. His Majesty thanked His Excellency Joseph R. Biden Junior, President of the United States America for his support of Brunei Darussalam's Chairmanship of ASEAN last year and congratulated His Excellency Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of Cambodia as the Chairman of ASEAN this year.
His Majesty in the titah also expressed his pleasure for the celebration of 45 years of ASEAN-U.S. dialogue relations as the U.S. has always been an important strategic partner of ASEAN by upholding peace, investing in its economies and supporting development. During the COVID-19 pandemic, ASEAN benefited from the U.S.' support through the provision of vaccines and medical equipment. His Majesty commends President Biden's personal leadership on this matter, including the hosting of the Second COVID-19 Summit. Looking towards the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN-U.S. relations, His Majesty hopes for continued peace, stability and sustainable development for all the peoples in the Indo-Pacific.
To realise this, it must be ensured that cooperation will bring greater benefit to as many people as possible, through a more strategic and comprehensive approach. Among others, this would require a substantial increase in the depth and scope of exchanges, training and capacity building for the peoples, including building up on initiatives such as the ASEAN Junior Fellowship Programme and the ASEAN- U.S. Internship Programme. His Majesty believes that such efforts will greatly contribute to enhancing trust and understanding between peoples, especially the youth, who are the foundation of ASEAN-U.S. relations in the future.
His Majesty also encourages for new areas of common interest and work to be identified for mutual benefits, in which one area that is important to the peoples' livelihood is the management, safety and security of the maritime domain. ASEAN commenced work on the Blue Economy in 2021 to promote the sustainable use of our maritime resources. With the release of the U.S. Blue Economy Strategic Plan in 2021, His Majesty highlights that it is timely to expand cooperation into this area, as ASEAN and the U.S. can mutually benefit from each other's experiences.
His Majesty noted that cooperation in the maritime domain, including the South China Sea, is in line with international law and the 1982 U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea. With one third of international shipping passing through the South China Sea, ensuring peace and security is of paramount importance globally. Therefore, the adherence by all parties to international law, including upholding the principles of the U.N. Charter is vital. His Majesty affirms that Brunei Darussalam will continue to foster a calm and peaceful environment, and encourage all countries, big and small, to prioritise dialogue and cooperation.
His Majesty also welcomes the U.S.' announcement to enhance education and people-to-people engagements with ASEAN, as well as the US' proposal on the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework which can promote growth and create opportunities. In concluding the titah, His Majesty welcomes the U.S.' renewed commitment to ASEAN and expressed confidence that ASEAN-U.S. relations will advance towards a future that is peaceful, prosperous and full of opportunities under the U.S. President's able leadership. Accompanying His Majesty was His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Mateen.
The Plenary Session Two on Regional and Global Issues was chaired by His Excellency Joseph R. Biden Junior, President of United States of America. In his welcoming remarks, the President of United States of America expressed satisfaction that ASEAN and the U.S. are entering a new era of relations, with discussions covering a broad range of issues including the COVID-19 pandemic; clean energy future; sustainable infrastructure; access to education; and maritime cooperation. During the Plenary Session, Leaders also discussed on the future of ASEAN- U.S. relations and issues pertaining to the Indo-Pacific region. At the Special Summit, the ASEAN- U.S. Special Summit Joint Vision Statement was adopted.
Source: Radio Television Brunei