Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel J. Kritenbrink will travel to Vientiane, Lao PDR, June 6-8 and Tokyo, Japan, June 9-10.
In Vientiane, Assistant Secretary Kritenbrink will participate in the East Asia Summit and ASEAN Regional Forum Senior Officials' Meetings. During these meetings, the Assistant Secretary will underscore the United States' commitment to ASEAN centrality, a free and open Indo-Pacific, and the security and prosperity of our partners. He will also meet with senior Lao PDR government officials to reaffirm U.S. support for Lao PDR's ASEAN Chair Year, highlight U.S. efforts in support of the theme of "Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience," thank the Lao PDR for its continued work as Co-Chair for the Mekong-U.S. Partnership, and further strengthen the U.S.-Lao PDR comprehensive partnership.
In Tokyo, Assistant Secretary Kritenbrink will meet with senior Japanese officials to reaffirm the United States' commitment to the U.S.-Japan Alliance and discuss how our two nations can deepen cooperation on a range of key opportunities and challenges.