Biden hails launch of new U.S-ASEAN pact

United States President Joe Biden has hailed the launch of a new U.S.-ASEAN pact as a critical step towards tackling major issues confronting the world.

Biden’s comment came as Southeast Asian heads of government held talks with visiting global leaders in Cambodia on Saturday.

“Together we will tackle the biggest issues of our time, from climate to health security, to defend against the significant threat to the rule-based order,” he said, opening a meeting in Cambodia with leaders of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

In his first visit to Southeast Asia as president, Biden said the region is at the heart of his administration’s Indo-Pacific strategy and Washington is committing resources, not just rhetoric, under a new Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

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“We will build an Indo-Pacific that’s free and open, stable and prosperous, and resilient and secure,” Biden added.

ASEAN is engaging a host of leaders, including Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol.

The event is the first in a series of summits in Southeast Asia over the next seven days that are expected to discuss tricky global issues, from the war in Ukraine to climate, and regional tensions over the Taiwan Strait, the South China Sea and North Korean missile launches.

Biden’s presence comes as the United States seeks to reassert itself after a period of regional uncertainty about its commitment under U.S. predecessor Donald Trump, and concerted efforts by rival China to boost its influence and fill the void.

China and ASEAN announced an upgrade in their ties to the comprehensive strategic partnership level last year.

Earlier on Saturday, South Korean leader Yoon proposed a mechanism for dialogue with China and Japan to address future crises including from the impacts of war on areas like the security of food and energy as well as climate change.

Global leaders will attend an East Asia Summit in Phnom Penh on Sunday, ahead of a business gathering and a G20 leaders summit in Bali next week, before moving to Bangkok for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.

Zainab Sa’id