Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, attended the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the independence of the United States of America as the Guest of Honour, held at the residence of the United States Ambassador to Indonesia in Jakarta. The event, jointly hosted by the Embassy of the United States in Indonesia and the United States Mission to ASEAN, brought together government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, business leaders, and representatives from various sectors across the region.
In his remarks, Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn highlighted the robust and enduring partnership between ASEAN and the United States, emphasizing the long-standing ties that have contributed to peace, stability, and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region. He noted that ASEAN and the United States share a common vision for a free, open, and rules-based regional order, and reaffirmed ASEAN commitment to deepening cooperation with the United States across a wide range of areas, including trade and investment, maritime security, digital economy, and sustainable development.
The Secretary-General also looked forward to commemorating the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN-United States Dialogue Relations and the 5th Anniversary of the ASEAN-United States Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, both of which will be celebrated in 2027. These milestones, he noted, will provide an opportunity to reflect on past achievements and chart a forward-looking agenda for even stronger collaboration between the two sides.
In a broader context, Dr. Kao welcomed the United States role as a host of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, noting that these major global sporting events would serve as powerful platforms for promoting people-to-people connections and cementing the unifying spirit of sports. He expressed confidence that the World Cup and Olympic Games would further strengthen cultural exchanges and mutual understanding between the peoples of ASEAN and the United States.
The celebration of the 250th anniversary of US independence marks a significant occasion not only for the United States but also for its partners and allies worldwide. For ASEAN, the event underscores the importance of the ASEAN-US strategic partnership, which has evolved significantly since the establishment of dialogue relations. Today, the partnership encompasses cooperation in political-security issues, economic integration, and socio-cultural collaboration, reflecting the breadth and depth of the relationship.
The attendance of the ASEAN Secretary-General at this high-profile event signals the continued commitment of ASEAN to engage with key dialogue partners and to promote multilateralism and international cooperation. It also highlights the role of Jakarta as a diplomatic hub, where the ASEAN Secretariat engages regularly with the diplomatic community and international organizations based in the Indonesian capital.
As ASEAN and the United States prepare to mark the 50th anniversary of their dialogue relations in 2027, both sides are expected to intensify efforts to advance mutual interests, including in areas such as climate action, health security, digital transformation, and connectivity. The close partnership between ASEAN and the United States remains a cornerstone of regional stability and a key driver of economic growth and development in Southeast Asia and the broader Indo-Pacific region.
Sources: [asean.org]
