Ambassador Thani highlighted ASEAN Centrality at Indo-Pacific Briefing

On February 13, 2020, Ambassador Thani Thongphakdi spoke at an Indo-Pacific briefing, the first in the series organized by the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC) and the US-India Strategic Partner Forum (USISPF), at the Russell Senate Office Building.  He was joined by Ambassador Amit Kumar from the Embassy of India. Mr. Ernie Bower, CEO of BowerGroup Asia, moderated the briefing.

Ambassador Thani pointed out the importance of ASEAN, as a dynamic region situated between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. The concept of ASEAN centrality and the ASEAN-centered regional architecture has for decades provided a platform for dialogue and cooperation for all players in East Asia. Under Thailand’s Chairmanship last year, ASEAN Leaders adopted the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific as a guiding compass for ASEAN’s relations with external power going forward. The Outlook promotes connectivity, complementarity, and inclusiveness among galvanizing forces towards constructive cooperation with and through ASEAN based on the principles of 3 Ms – mutual trust, mutual respect and mutual benefit.

The event attracted congressional staffers and many representatives from leading U.S. companies.

Photo courtesy of US-India Strategic Partner Forum (USISPF)