The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reports that a Myanmar delegation attended the launch of the US-ASEAN Centre in Washington, DC, held at the Washington School branch of American Arizona University on 14 December. Ambassadors from ASEAN embassies, charge d’affaires, and Myanmar Embassy minister in Washington U Thet Win, along with other officials, were present.
The ceremony featured speeches by Ms Holly Lindquist Thomas, Director of the Office of Multilateral Affairs at the East Asia and Pacific Department of the Department of State, Mr Ida Bagus Made Bimantara, Country Coordinator of the American-ASEAN dialogue relationship, Dr Christopher B Howard, Vice-President of Arizona University, Senator Tammy Duckworth, Texas Democrat Joaquin Castro, and Under Secretary of the US Department of State, Ms Elizabeth M Allen.
Vice-President Kamala Harris highlighted the focus on fostering friendships between Southeast Asian countries and the United States in Washington, DC.
The US-ASEAN Centre aims to enhance economic and cultural ties between Southeast Asian countries and the United States, fostering connections among private organizations. Hosting the centre, Arizona University has a history of collaboration with ASEAN countries in public-private partnership projects with the US Department of State. The university is also engaged with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and American industries. — ASH/TRKM
