ASEAN-US Cooperation: Jakarta Summits

This is the fourth and final article in a four-part series focused on engagement between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Quad countries — the United States (US), Japan, India, and Australia — at various bilateral summits, the 18th East Asia Summit, and the ASEAN Indo-Pacific Forum held from 6-8 September. I parse through key speeches and statements to understand key areas of cooperation between ASEAN and the Quad countries. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the 20th ASEAN-India Summit, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida the 26th ASEAN-Japan Summit, US Vice President Kamala Harris — acting in President Joe Biden’s stead — the 11th ASEAN-US Summit, and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese the 3rd ASEAN-Australia Summit.

At the US-ASEAN Summit, Vice President Harris noted the value of the US-ASEAN economic cooperation, and emphasized signs that their relationship was growing stronger with the signing of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2022. Harris also noted the alignment of their visions for the Indo-Pacific, and announced the establishment of the US-ASEAN center in Washington, DC, which will focus on facilitating ASEAN engagements. 

ASEAN’s statement of the summit discusses areas of cooperation and bilateral progress over the years in areas such as digital infrastructures, e-commerce, gender equality, and development cooperation. Regarding global security, the statement notes the US-ASEAN joint commitment towards disarmament (including nuclear), and welcomes ASEAN’s commitment to preserving Southeast Asia as a Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone and contribution of the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Treaty towards strengthening regional security and stability. On concerns regarding the freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, they noted the necessity of consistency with international law. On the Ukraine war, the statement notes respecting the UNSC resolution “deploring the aggression” by Russia, as well as demanding Russia’s withdrawal from Ukrainian territory. Then, it notes concerns with respect to the nuclearisation and militarisation of North Korea, affecting peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula. On the Myanmar crisis, it notes their condemnation of the escalation of violence in the region, and reiterates the necessity of implementing the Five-Point Consensus (5PC). ]

As part of the summit, the US and ASEAN also released a joint statement on bilateral cooperation on the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), affirming their support of the AOIP, and noting that it provided a “conceptual basis” for growing cooperation between them. In this vein, it underscores the importance of ASEAN centrality and notes synergies between the AOIP and the US’ Indo-Pacific Strategy.  The joint statement notes their commitment to pursue practical projects in four priority areas of the AOIP: i) maritime cooperation, ii) connectivity, iii) the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and iv) economic and other possible areas of cooperation. Below is an important run-down of key items of cooperation within these areas: 

1. On maritime cooperation, the US and ASEAN aim to expand cooperation on sustainable fisheries management, strengthen capacity to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, support coastal and small-scale fishing communities, promote maritime commerce, expand efforts to protect and conserve the maritime environment and improve maritime, maritime domain awareness. The statement underscores the need to uphold “freedom of navigation and overflight” and pursue peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with universally recognised principles of international law. The US and ASEAN also commit to promoting cooperation and coordination among agencies such as maritime law enforcement agencies — to collaborate on improving maritime domain awareness, search and rescue, protection, restoration and sustainable management of the marine environment, as well as maritime safety, security and education

2. On connectivity, the statement emphasises promoting cooperation that supports digital innovation, logistics, regulation, and sustainable infrastructure. The US and ASEAN intend to enhance human capital development and build people-to-people connectivity

3. Within cooperation on SDGs, the statement notes the need to promote the sustainable development of the Mekong subregion through initiatives under the Mekong-US Partnership (MUSP), advance cooperation in areas like food security, resilient health systems, gender equality through maximizing the complementarities between the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 

4. Within economic or other possible areas, the US and ASEAN look to deepen economic cooperation through enhancing cooperation on trade facilitation, logistics infrastructure, etc., including through the participation of the United States in the region. The statement notes the need to support cooperation on the digital economy, cybersecurity, and a peaceful cyberspace 

Then at the East Asia Summit, Harris noted the need to ensure that the Indo-Pacific region “remain[ed] open, interconnected, prosperous, secure, and resilient”, emphasising the strong commercial and economic links between Southeast Asia and the US, as well as the US’ security and deterrence commitments in the region. Harris noted the following points: 

1. The US was committed to the Indo-Pacific and supported the ASEAN’s Outlook on the Indo-Pacific

2. Highlight the deep economic ties between the US and Southeast Asia, as well as review ongoing efforts to promote high-quality and sustainable infrastructure, energy transition, and developing secure and resilient supply chains 

3.  Emphasise freedom of navigation and overflight in the East China and South China Seas and that all disputes must be resolved through international law 

With regard to global security concerns, Harris condemned the Burmese (Myanmar) military’s violence against the Burmese people, and reaffirmed the importance of implementing ASEAN-related mechanisms to resolve the issue. She also expressed concern towards North Korea’s militarisation and nuclearisation, and human rights abuses by the People’s Republic of China (PRC). With regard to the Ukraine war, Harris condemned Russia’s actions, which have “exacerbated good insecurity  and harmed millions of vulnerable people in the Indo-Pacific and across the globe.”