Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel October 8-11 to Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic, to represent the United States at Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meetings and related leaders' meetings. The Secretary will then travel to Berlin, Germany, and Luanda, Angola, from October 11 to 15, to join President Joseph R. Biden in his meetings with his foreign counterparts.
In Lao People's Democratic Republic, Secretary Blinken will participate in the East Asia Summit and the United States-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit. The Secretary will reiterate the United States' commitment to ASEAN centrality and support for ASEAN's vision for the Indo-Pacific, which shares fundamental principles with the United States' Indo-Pacific strategy. The Secretary will highlight how the U.S.-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is delivering tangible benefits for our 1 billion people, including through our economic cooperation and increased engagement in emerging technologies like artificial intelligence. The Minister will also discuss geopolitical issues, including the ongoing crisis in Burma, the importance of respecting international law in the South China Sea, and Russian aggression against Ukraine. Additionally, Secretary Blinken will reaffirm U.S. support for the year of the ASEAN Chairmanship of the Lao PDR and commitment to further strengthening the comprehensive partnership between the United States and the Lao PDR.
Secretary Blinken will then join President Biden in Germany and Angola to support the President's engagements with German and Angolan leaders, and celebrate our strengthening relationships with our allies and partners.
