The 12th ASEAN-U.S. Summit, held in Vientiane, Lao PDR, marked a significant milestone in strengthening the ASEAN-U.S. Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, alongside leaders from the region and the U.S., discussed a wide array of critical issues, ranging from artificial intelligence (AI) to regional security and economic cooperation. As Southeast Asia faces unprecedented challenges, the summit highlighted both the opportunities and risks in the evolving geopolitical landscape.
One of the key achievements of the summit was the adoption of the ASEAN-U.S. Leaders’ Statement on Promoting Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence. The statement emphasized the need to harness AI for the benefit of the people while ensuring that the technology is developed and deployed responsibly. The leaders recognized AI’s vast potential to accelerate progress toward the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in areas such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure. At the same time, they acknowledged the importance of mitigating AI’s risks, such as job displacement, privacy concerns, and ethical dilemmas.
This focus on AI reflects a broader regional commitment to technological advancement, seen as essential to maintaining ASEAN’s competitiveness in the global economy. The partnership aims to foster collaboration in research, development, and regulation of AI technologies, while also promoting cybersecurity measures to safeguard against potential misuse.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s Strategic Engagement
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken represented President Joe Biden at both the ASEAN-U.S. Summit and the East Asia Summit. Blinken’s presence reaffirms the U.S.’s strategic commitment to Southeast Asia and the broader Indo-Pacific region, especially as the region grapples with multiple geopolitical flashpoints.
The U.S. State Department has outlined a series of high-level discussions focusing on several key regional and international issues. These include the ongoing civil war in Myanmar, where the Burmese military junta continues to consolidate power amid widespread opposition and violence. Blinken is expected to address U.S. concerns over the junta’s plan to hold elections in 2025, which critics argue would lack legitimacy under the current circumstances. Daniel Kritenbrink, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, expressed concern that any election held without genuine peace and reconciliation would deepen the crisis, prolonging the civil conflict in Myanmar.
Other topics likely to be discussed include the ongoing maritime disputes in the South China Sea, where tensions between China and ASEAN countries such as the Philippines and Vietnam have escalated over competing territorial claims. Blinken is expected to reinforce U.S. support for upholding international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), as a framework for peaceful resolution of disputes in the region.
Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and its broader implications for global stability also featured prominently in Blinken’s discussions. As the war in Ukraine continues, the U.S. aims to align ASEAN members more closely with its efforts to isolate Russia diplomatically and economically, while addressing the broader impacts of the conflict on global food security and energy supplies.
ASEAN Leadership Transitions and Regional Dynamics
This year’s summit comes at a time of significant leadership transitions across Southeast Asia, introducing new perspectives and approaches to regional issues. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who assumed the role of Thailand’s Prime Minister in August, made her debut at the summit. At 38 years old, Paetongtarn is the youngest leader in the region and has quickly established herself as a key advocate for greater ASEAN unity in addressing the Myanmar crisis. She proposed an “informal consultation” among ASEAN leaders in December 2024, aimed at facilitating dialogue between the junta and opposition forces to resolve the conflict.
Thailand’s position on Myanmar reflects a growing divide within ASEAN, with some member states pushing for stronger measures against the junta, while others, like Thailand, advocate for a more conciliatory approach. Paetongtarn emphasized the need for dialogue and greater political space within Myanmar, hinting at support for the junta’s controversial plan to hold elections, while also stressing that ASEAN must send a unified message that a military solution is not viable.
Similarly, Singapore has seen a leadership shift, with Lawrence Wong succeeding long-time Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loongearlier this year. Wong is expected to play a key role in ASEAN’s efforts to maintain economic stability and foster innovation, particularly in the fields of digital transformation and sustainable development.
Japan, another important ASEAN partner, recently welcomed its new Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba, who took office on October 1. Ishiba’s government has prioritized strengthening Japan’s alliance with the U.S. and deepening engagement with ASEAN, especially in the areas of regional security and economic cooperation. In a recent call with President Biden, Ishiba reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to the U.S.-Japan Alliance, highlighting shared concerns over North Korea’s nuclear activities and China’s growing influence in the region.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Keynote Address at the East Asia Summit
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a significant address at the 19th East Asia Summit, marking a crucial moment in India’s engagement with Southeast Asia. Modi’s speech touched on critical global challenges and underscored India’s commitment to peace, stability, and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
Prime Minister Modi emphasized that the ongoing conflicts in various parts of the world, particularly in Eurasia and West Asia, are having the most negative impact on countries of the Global South. He reiterated his belief that “this is not the era of war” and called for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve conflicts rather than resorting to violence.
“I come from the land of Buddha, and I have repeatedly said that this is not the era of war. Solutions to problems cannot come from the battlefield. It is necessary to respect sovereignty, territorial integrity, and international laws. Keeping a humanitarian approach, dialogue and diplomacy will have to be given priority,” Modi stated, emphasizing the need for peaceful solutions.
Modi also addressed the importance of global peace and stability, calling for countries that believe in humanity to come together to combat challenges such as terrorism. He highlighted the growing threats posed by terrorism to global security and urged for greater international cooperation to counter these threats.
In addition to security concerns, Modi touched on the need to strengthen cooperation in key areas like cybersecurity, maritime security, and space exploration. He urged the international community to bolster partnerships in these domains to ensure a secure and prosperous future.
India’s Act East Policy, which aims to deepen India’s ties with Southeast Asia, was also highlighted during the summit. Modi’s visit saw the signing of several key Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with Laoson trade and infrastructure, further cementing India’s role as a key partner for ASEAN. Prime Minister Modi’s address at the summit reinforced India’s growing influence in Southeast Asia and its commitment to fostering regional cooperation, especially in addressing shared challenges such as terrorism, economic development, and regional security.
Economic Ties and Strategic Cooperation
Economic cooperation remains a cornerstone of the ASEAN-U.S. relationship. In 2023, bilateral trade between the U.S. and ASEAN reached $395.9 billion, making the U.S. ASEAN’s second-largest trading partner after China. The U.S. also remains the largest source of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the region, with investments totaling $74.3 billion last year. These economic ties underpin broader efforts to enhance regional development, particularly in areas such as infrastructure, energy, and digital connectivity.
The U.S. has also prioritized the creation of resilient supply chains, particularly in the semiconductor industry, which is critical to global technology and defense sectors. The CHIPS Act passed in 2022, has spurred greater U.S. investment in semiconductor manufacturing, and ASEAN’s role as a key supplier of raw materials and components has made it an indispensable partner in these efforts.
East Asia Summit: A Forum for Global Challenges
The East Asia Summit (EAS), held in conjunction with the ASEAN-U.S. Summit, serves as a platform for dialogue between ASEAN and its key partners, including the U.S., China, Russia, Japan, India, and South Korea. This year’s summit is expected to address a wide range of global challenges, including the conflict in Ukraine, tensions in the Middle East, and climate change.
Analysts, however, caution that deep divisions among the major powers could hinder concrete progress on these issues. Susannah Patton, director of the Southeast Asia Program at the Lowy Institute, observed that the growing polarization between the U.S. and China has made it increasingly difficult for ASEAN’s dialogue partners to reach consensus on key international issues. While the EAS is expected to produce at least one joint statement, it is unlikely to offer significant breakthroughs on pressing issues such as the South China Sea dispute or the Myanmar crisis.
Future Directions for ASEAN
As the 12th ASEAN-U.S. Summit concludes, the focus now shifts to the next steps in addressing the region’s most pressing challenges. From promoting responsible AI development to navigating geopolitical tensions, ASEAN continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the Indo-Pacific. The leadership transitions within ASEAN, along with continued engagement from global powers like the U.S. and China, will significantly influence the region’s trajectory in the years to come.
The upcoming consultations on Myanmar, proposed by Thailand, offer a glimmer of hope for resolving one of Southeast Asia’s most intractable conflicts. However, achieving lasting peace will require a unified ASEAN approach and meaningful engagement from all stakeholders, including the junta and opposition forces.
In the face of geopolitical complexities, ASEAN’s resilience and ability to forge consensus among its diverse members will be key to maintaining peace, stability, and prosperity in the region.