Today, USAID Administrator Samantha Power met with Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, the Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). They discussed ASEAN's central role in the Indo-Pacific in promoting inclusive economic growth, bolstering education, and supporting good governance and human rights across its member nations. The Administrator and the Secretary-General discussed the implementation of the ASEAN-U.S. Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The Administrator emphasized the opportunities to leverage ASEAN's convening power of member states, and the private sector, to reduce lead exposure, particularly for Southeast Asia's youth.
The Administrator also highlighted continued partnerships with ASEAN in the emerging technology space, support for increased competitiveness through the ASEAN Single Window, and efforts to expand clean energy trade in Southeast Asia.
