Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken will travel October 8-11 to Vientiane, the Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR), to represent the United States at the ASEAN and related leaders' meetings. The Secretary will then travel to Berlin, Germany, and Luanda, Angola, October 11-15 to join President Joseph R. Biden for his engagements with foreign counterparts.
In the Lao PDR, Secretary Blinken will participate in the East Asia Summit and the U.S.-ASEAN Summit. The Secretary will reiterate the United States' commitment to ASEAN centrality and support for the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, which shares fundamental principles with the U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy. The Secretary will highlight how the U.S.-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is delivering concrete benefits for our combined one billion people, including through our economic cooperation and increased engagement on emerging technology such as artificial intelligence. The Secretary will also discuss geopolitical issues, including the ongoing crisis in Burma, the importance of upholding international law in the South China Sea, and Russia's aggression against Ukraine. In addition, Secretary Blinken will reaffirm U.S. support for the Lao PDR ASEAN Chair Year and commitment to further strengthening the U.S.-Lao PDR Comprehensive Partnership.
Secretary Blinken will then join President Biden in Germany and Angola to support the President's engagements with German and Angolan leaders, celebrating and strengthening our relationships with our allies and partners.
