US Ambassador to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Yohannes Abraham has highlighted the US Government's commitment to ASEAN centrality.
US Ambassador to ASEAN Yohannes Abraham (Photo: ASEAN)
Jakarta (VNA) - US Ambassador to theAssociation of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Yohannes Abraham has highlighted theUS Government's commitment to ASEAN centrality.
ASEAN centrality is at the core of the US President's strategyfor the Indo-Pacific, the diplomat stated in his recent interview with Indonesia’sAntara news agency.
Abraham made this statement in response to questions on USPresident Joe Biden's absence at the 43rd ASEAN Summit slated for September 5-7in Jakarta.
Despite Biden's non-attendance at the 43rd ASEAN Summit, heaffirmed that the US Government remains committed to supporting ASEANcentrality.
This was evident from the special summit that the Presidentheld in Washington DC and his visit to Cambodia and Indonesia last year.
Meanwhile, for Vice President Kamala Harris, this trip willbe her third to the region, and Indonesia will be the fifth ASEAN memberstate she has visited./.
The US Ambassador to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Yohannes Abraham said the US supports the bloc's efforts to preserve the international rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific.
US Ambassador to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Yohannes Abraham has said that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are integral to the economic growth of the region.
Total trade between Indonesia and New Zealand in the first half of 2025 reached 963.23 million USD, an increase of 21.56% compared to 792.39 million USD in the same period last year. Of this amount, Indonesia's exports to New Zealand totaled 374.89 million USD, while imports 588.35 million USD
Malaysia, as ASEAN 2025 Chair, marked the bloc’s 58th founding anniversary on August 8 with a vibrant celebration in Cyberjaya, blending an official ceremony with a colorful cultural festival.
Vietnam plays an important role in Southeast Asia’s economic growth and is a key partner of her country in realising the shared vision of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region, said Robyn Mudie, First Assistant Secretary of Office of Southeast Asia (OSA) – Southeast Asia Regional and Mainland Division at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
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The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking identified the US tariff reduction as a significant driver behind the improved economic outlook for Thailand.
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Featuring a permanent exhibition area, the ASEAN Hall will function both as a cultural showcase and as a dynamic venue for ASEAN-related events and programmes. Its inauguration on ASEAN Day added symbolic weight, marking a fresh milestone in ASEAN–RoK relations.
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The focus of the upcoming ASEAN Summit in October will be on strengthening economic relations through intra-regional trade and investment, as well as regional initiatives on energy networks and connectivity.
Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
The Indonesian Government is determined to seize opportunities to enhance the competitiveness of national agricultural products, an official has said, adding that it always strives to promote exports at the highest possible level, based on a mutually beneficial foundation.
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has outlined a six-point strategy to promote innovation, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and push for Thailand's removal from the US Trade Representative (USTR)’s special 301 Watch List regarding intellectual property rights protection among trading partners.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The 30-storey tower crumbled seconds after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The partially built high-rise, meant to house the State Audit Office (SAO), was the only building in Thailand to collapse, killing 89 people on the site, mostly construction workers.
Indonesia’s waste generation is projected to exceed 50 million tonnes in 2025. Of the total, more than 20 million tonnes could potentially enter the ocean through rivers, coastal areas, small islands, ports, and marine activities, and thereby, pose a risk to coastal ecosystems and marine biota.
Indonesia is accelerating plans to increase lithium imports, particularly from Australia, in a bid to fill gaps in the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain and realise its ambition of becoming a global EV manufacturing hub.
US Ambassador to ASEAN Yohannes Abraham (Photo: ASEAN) 
