The United States and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) reaffirmed their commitment to regional peace, prosperity, and shared growth during the 37th annual U.S.-ASEAN Dialogue held on 22 April 2025 in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

The dialogue was co-chaired by Senior Bureau Official for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs Sean O’Neill and Cambodian Secretary of State Kung Phoak of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The two sides reviewed key areas of cooperation under the U.S.-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Senior Bureau Official O’Neill reiterated U.S. support for Malaysia’s chairmanship of ASEAN and emphasized the long-standing nature of the partnership, which has spanned 48 years. He assured participants of President Trump’s commitment to prioritize “the safety, security, and prosperity of our citizens.”

O’Neill also highlighted that the United States remains the top source of foreign direct investment in the ASEAN region. He stressed President Trump’s objective of establishing “greater fairness and reciprocity in our trade relationships.”

In addition to economic engagement, the United States expressed support for an inclusive digital economy and emphasized greater collaboration on cybersecurity and emerging technologies. O’Neill reaffirmed efforts to uphold freedom of navigation, combat transnational crime, and address pressing threats such as online scam centers and synthetic drug trafficking. He also voiced continued U.S. support for Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN.

Geopolitical concerns were a key part of the dialogue. O’Neill discussed the importance of maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific and working closely with ASEAN to push back against aggression from outside parties. He underscored the shared commitment to “facilitate Burma’s path to an actual democracy,” aligning with ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus.

He called on Burma’s military regime to “immediately end the violence against its people, release those unjustly detained, and allow unhindered humanitarian access to all those in need.” O’Neill also reaffirmed the U.S. position on the South China Sea, stressing the importance of upholding “freedoms of navigation and overflight and other lawful uses of the sea.”

Before the dialogue concluded, O’Neill extended condolences for the lives lost in the 28 March earthquake that affected Burma and Thailand. He said the United States continues to support humanitarian efforts during “the long days of recovery ahead.”