It’s Monday.
Thanksgiving is 10 days away…
President Biden’s Public Schedule for Monday, November 14th 2022:
| 4:30 AM | The President holds a bilateral meeting with President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China (5:30 PM Local) Full Text and Analysis Mulia Hotel, Nusa Dua, Bali, IndonesiaOut-of-Town Pool Spray |
| 8:30 AM | The President delivers remarks and takes questions (9:30 PM Local) Grand Hyatt Hotel, Nusa Dua, Bali, IndonesiaPre-Credentialed Media |
On Sunday, the White House posted the following fact-sheet: Strengthening the U.S.-Indonesia Strategic Partnership
The United States and Indonesia share a deep and enduring Strategic Partnership, anchored in shared values of democracy and pluralism, and our common commitment to the rules-based international order. The United States remains focused on supporting Indonesia’s security and prosperity, while working together to tackle the climate crisis, promote access to affordable food and energy, strengthen pandemic preparedness and the global health architecture, expand our important people-to-people ties, and address the crises in Burma and Afghanistan. In Fiscal Year 2022 alone, the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development are planning to provide Indonesia with more than $150 million in bilateral development and security assistance.
White House.gov. 11/13/2022.
On the margins of the G20 Summit in Bali, Indonesia, President Biden and President Widodo will hold a bilateral meeting, during which the leaders will review efforts to accelerate U.S.-Indonesian partnership across a wide range of shared challenges and opportunities, including through the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) and the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII). During the G20 Summit, the United States and Indonesia will join with partners to unveil transformative new PGII initiatives that will accelerate Indonesia’s clean energy transition and promote enduring prosperity. And today, President Biden is announcing the following new initiatives:
Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact: The United States and Indonesia have successfully concluded negotiations to launch a $698 million MCC Compact, supported with $649 million from the United States and $49 million from Indonesia. The Compact will support the development of high-quality, climate-conscious transportation infrastructure in five provinces; mobilize international capital in support of Indonesia’s development goals, in part by building the capacity of Indonesia’s financial markets; and increase access to finance for Indonesia’s women-owned businesses and micro, small, and medium sized enterprises.
Sustainable Fishing and Marine Biodiversity: In partnership with Indonesia’s Ministry of Marine and Fisheries Affairs, USAID is launching two new programs that will protect Indonesia’s marine biodiversity and critical mangrove ecosystems by enhancing the sustainable and equitable management of fisheries and Marine Protected Areas, and building the resilience of commercial supply chains and fisheries-dependent communities to the impacts of climate change.
Carbon Capture: ExxonMobil and Indonesian state-owned energy company Pertamina have signed a $2.5 billion agreement to further assess the development of regional Carbon Capture and Sequestration Hub in Indonesia. This partnership will enable key industry sectors to decarbonize, including the refining, chemicals, cement, and steel sectors, thereby lowering carbon emissions while creating economic opportunities for Indonesian workers, and this agreement will help Indonesia achieve its net-zero ambitions in 2060 or sooner.
Coast Guard Capacity-Building: Building on longstanding cooperation between the United States and the Indonesian Maritime Security Agency (BAKAMLA), the United States will now support BAKAMLA’s maritime surveillance drone program. U.S. support will enable BAKAMLA to procure drones, pilot training, and maintenance that will significantly enhance BAKAMLA’s capabilities related to maritime domain awareness, maritime law enforcement, and countering illegal fishing.
Investing in Food Security & Critical Supply Chains: The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation will invest $20 million in Indonesia’s Aruna Global Technologies to connect Indonesia’s small-scale rural fishers to the global market through innovative technology platforms that empower women and marginalized communities, drive down food costs, and increase resilience in food supply chains in the second-largest fishing industry in the world.
Reducing Plastic Pollution: USAID will launch a new initiative to support public-private cooperation to reduce land-based sources of ocean plastics pollution, in line with circular economy principles. USAID will partner with local governments, the private sector, and community groups to promote integrated waste management, thus improving waste collection and treatment and strengthening the value chain for recycling.
Greening Public Transit: The U.S. Trade and Development Agency is launching a new partnership with MRT Jakarta, which manages the capital’s public rail system, to support the public transit system’s transition to renewable energy sources.
Investing in Cutting-Edge Energy Technology: The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation will support HDF Energy’s investment in a portfolio of green hydrogen projects in Indonesia called “Renewstable,” which combines renewable energy with battery and green hydrogen backed storage to deliver stable and reliable power to electricity grids.
Preserving Biodiversity: USAID plans to launch a new partnership with Indonesia’s Ministry of Environment and Forestry on the conservation of orangutans and other vulnerable species such as elephants, tigers, and rhinoceroses in Sumatra and Kalimantan. This partnership will improve conservation data collection; facilitate collaboration among local government, the private sector, and communities; and reduce human-wildlife conflict.
Supporting Ports and Fisheries in the Pacific: The United States and Indonesia committed to partnering to enhance port and fisheries administration in the Pacific. By leveraging Indonesian expertise in port and fisheries administration and logistics, and in concert with Pacific partners, the United States and Indonesia will send technical experts to the region to support critical Pacific port and fishing needs.
Education Cooperation: Building on the bilateral Educational Cooperation MOU signed by the United States and Indonesia in December 2021, the United States has now allocated resources for a 30% increase in educational advising centers in Indonesia, which will provide new opportunities for Indonesian students to study in the United States. In addition, Peace Corps volunteers and Fulbright scholars and teachers will return to Indonesia in January of 2023, after a multiyear hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Piloting Innovative Medical Technologies: The U.S. Trade and Development Agency and GE Healthcare announced plans to co-fund a pilot project to support the Indonesian Ministry of Health (MoH) develop a national image and data repository (NIDR), creating a new cloud-based centralized warehouse for electronic medical records and a hub-and-spoke network connecting general practitioners in primary care facilities with cardiologists in a central hospital.
Supporting Sustainable Development in Indonesia’s New Capital: USAID is partnering with the Ibu Kota Nusantara Authority – founded by President Widodo to oversee the relocation of the Indonesian capital – to provide project management support and technical assistance on the new capital’s development, with a focus on smart city and “Forest City” principles.
His remarks have already happened. The YouTube is 1 hour and 4 seconds long; cause it’s a live stream. President Biden begins his short remarks at the 46 minute and 8 second mark. The White House has not had a chance to post his full remarks or upload the edited for dead air YouTube.
President Biden has tweeted…
He has tweeted 2 times so far for Monday.
See above this tweet.
There is not a YouTube posted of their remarks prior to the bilateral meeting. The White House posted a transcript:
President Biden:
Well, President Xi, it’s — I’m really glad to be able to see you again in person. We spent a lot of time together and — back in the days when we were both vice presidents, and it’s just great to see you.
And you and I have had a number of candid and useful conversations over the years and since I became President as well. You were kind enough to call me to congratulate me, and I congratulate you as well. And I believe there’s little substitute, though, for — to face-to-face discussions.
And as you know, I’m committed to keeping the lines of communications open between you and me personally but our governments across the board, because our two countries are — have so much that we have an opportunity to deal with.
As the leaders of our two nations, we share a responsibility, in my view, to show that China and the United States can manage our differences, prevent competition from becoming anything ever near conflict, and to find ways to work together on urgent global issues that require our mutual cooperation.
And I believe this is critical for the sake of our two countries and the international community. This — this was a key to the theme of the COP27 meeting, where I spoke on Friday. And we’ll be discussing a lot of these challenges together, I hope, in the next couple hours.
And the world expects, I believe, China and the United States to play key roles in addressing global challenges, from climate changes, to food insecurity, and to — for us to be able to work together.
The United States stands ready to do just that — work with you — if that’s what you desire.
So, President Xi, I look forward to our continuing and ongoing open and honest dialogue we’ve always had. And I thank you for the opportunity.
White House.gov. 11/14/2022.
President Xi (as interpreted):
Mr. President, it’s good to see you. The last time we met was in 2017, during the World Economic Forum in Davos. That was already more than five years ago.
Since you assumed the presidency, we have maintained communication via video conferences, phone calls, and letters. But none of them can really substitute for face-to-face exchanges. And today, we finally have this face-to-face meeting.
From the initial contact and the establishment of diplomatic relations to today, China and the United States have gone through 50-plus eventful years. We have gained experience, and we’ve also learned lessons.
History is the best textbook, so we should take history as a mirror and let it guide the future.
Currently, the China-U.S. relationship is in such a situation that we all care a lot about it, because this is not the fundamental interests of our two countries and peoples and it is not what the international community expects us.
As leaders of the two major countries, we need to chart the right course for the China-U.S. relationship. We need to find the right direction for the bilateral relationship going forward and elevate the relationship.
A statesman should think about and know where to lead his country. He should also think about and know how to get along with other countries and the wider world.
Well, in this time and age, great changes are unfolding in ways like never before. Humanity are confronted with unprecedented challenges. The world has come to a crossroads. Where to go from here — this is a question that is not only on our mind but also on the mind of all countries.
The world expects that China and the United States will properly handle the relationship. And for our meeting, it has attracted the world’s attention.
So, we need to work with all countries to bring more hope to world peace, greater confidence in global stability, and stronger impetus to common development.
In our meeting today, I’m ready to have a candid — as we always did — have a candid and in-depth exchange of views with you on issues of strategic importance in China-U.S. relations and on major global and regional issues.
I look forward to working with you, Mr. President, to bring China-U.S. relations back to the track of healthy and stable growth to the benefit of our two countries and the world as a whole.
Thank you.
White House.gov. 11/14/2022.
The White House posted the following meeting readout:
President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. met on November 14 with President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), in Bali, Indonesia. The two leaders spoke candidly about their respective priorities and intentions across a range of issues. President Biden explained that the United States will continue to compete vigorously with the PRC, including by investing in sources of strength at home and aligning efforts with allies and partners around the world. He reiterated that this competition should not veer into conflict and underscored that the United States and China must manage the competition responsibly and maintain open lines of communication. The two leaders discussed the importance of developing principles that would advance these goals and tasked their teams to discuss them further.
President Biden underscored that the United States and China must work together to address transnational challenges – such as climate change, global macroeconomic stability including debt relief, health security, and global food security – because that is what the international community expects. The two leaders agreed to empower key senior officials to maintain communication and deepen constructive efforts on these and other issues. They welcomed ongoing efforts to address specific issues in U.S.-China bilateral relations, and encouraged further progress in these existing mechanisms, including through joint working groups. They also noted the importance of ties between the people of the United States and the PRC.
President Biden raised concerns about PRC practices in Xinjiang, Tibet, and Hong Kong, and human rights more broadly. On Taiwan, he laid out in detail that our one China policy has not changed, the United States opposes any unilateral changes to the status quo by either side, and the world has an interest in the maintenance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. He raised U.S. objections to the PRC’s coercive and increasingly aggressive actions toward Taiwan, which undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in the broader region, and jeopardize global prosperity. President Biden also raised ongoing concerns about China’s non-market economic practices, which harm American workers and families, and workers and families around the world. He again underscored that it is a priority for us to resolve the cases of American citizens who are wrongfully detained or subject to exit bans in China
The two leaders exchanged views on key regional and global challenges. President Biden raised Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine and Russia’s irresponsible threats of nuclear use. President Biden and President Xi reiterated their agreement that a nuclear war should never be fought and can never be won and underscored their opposition to the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine. President Biden also raised concerns about the DPRK’s provocative behavior, noted all members of the international community have an interest in encouraging the DPRK to act responsibly, and underscored the United States’ ironclad commitment to defending our Indo-Pacific Allies.
The two leaders agreed that Secretary of State Blinken will visit China to follow up on their discussions.
White House.gov. 11/14/2022.
When Friday’s post was posted, President Biden had tweeted 3 times. He added 9 tweets giving him a Friday Tweeting Total of 12 tweets and 0 retweets.
Friday was Veterans Day. The video clip is 26 seconds long.
President Biden: You know, as a nation, we have many obligations, but only one truly sacred obligation: To prepare and equip those brave women and me we send to war and to care for those and their families when they come home. Our veterans are the very spine of America. Let’s join in renewing our sacred obligation to the brave women and men. May God bless you all. And may God protect our troops.
On Friday, President Biden offered remarks at the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP27). The YouTube is 23 minutes and 4 seconds long. His full remarks can be found here.
President Biden: Yes, the challenges we face are great, but our capacity is greater than the challenges. We must never doubt that. So let’s reach out and take the future in our hands and make the world we wish to see and that we know we need — a planet preserved for generations to come; an economy powered by clean, diversified, secure energy sources; opportunities unlocked through innovation and cooperation that deliver equitable, more prosperous, and more stable, and more just world for our children.
President Biden: The climate crisis is about human security, economic security, environmental security, national security, and the very life of the planet.
The word “innovation” appears twice in his remarks:
President Biden: Our investments in technology, from electric batteries to hydrogen, are going to spark a cycle of innovation that will reduce the cost and improve the performance of clean energy technology that will be available to nations worldwide, not just the United States. (Applause.)
President Biden: So let’s reach out and take the future in our hands and make the world we wish to see and that we know we need — a planet preserved for generations to come; an economy powered by clean, diversified, secure energy sources; opportunities unlocked through innovation and cooperation that deliver equitable, more prosperous, and more stable, and more just world for our children.
The White House posted the following before meeting remarks:
PRESIDENT EL-SISI: (As interpreted.) Your Excellency, Mr. President, you are most welcome to the city of Sharm el-Sheikh. I do welcome your (inaudible) delegation as well. This is a great opportunity. And this year, we mark 100 years of — celebrating 100 years of U.S-Egyptian relationships.
Allow me to say, sir, that this is a great opportunity as we know are now celebrating our 100th anniversary of the Egyptian-U.S. relationship.
And Your Excellency’s visit to Sharm El-Sheikh is a real reflection of the strength of the relationship and will be a great momentum to this COP27.
This is also a great opportunity that we can boost the strategic relationship between our two countries.
Yesterday I had a great opportunity of meeting Madam Speaker Honorable Nancy Pelosi and several members of the U.S. Congress. We talked about multiple issues. And it was a great event.
I would like to seize this opportunity of having U.S. media with us to talk about the overall issues in the Middle East and how things are unfolding in this region.
First of all, I’d like to emphasize the strength of the strategic relationship between Egypt and the United States that has not changed over 40 years. There has always been common understanding regarding all the issues relating to this region.
But there’s always a point that is the center of the debate, that we appreciate very much, and this is the human rights part. In this particular regard, we have a comprehensive approach that I’d like you to listen and hear from us about it and to follow it up, because we are very keen on improving this part.
We have launched a national strategy for human rights. Then we launched another initiative for national dialogue (inaudible) this year. This was — coincided with a committee for presidential amnesty. This is following up all of the relevant issues, and all the lists that are suggested are being approved.
And I don’t feel that this will be very much appropriate to take all the time speaking while Your Excellency is here, but I just wanted to address in general the topics that are of common interest.
Your Excellency, I welcome you.
PRESIDENT BIDEN: I can listen to you much longer, Mr. President.
PRESIDENT EL-SISI: (Laughs.) I appreciate that.
PRESIDENT BIDEN: No, I’m serious.
PRESIDENT EL-SISI: I appreciate that. Thank you.
PRESIDENT BIDEN: First of all, thank you for hosting the COP27 meeting. The — you know, Egypt has long — been long called the “Mother of the World,” so it seems appropriate that you’re hosting this — this environmental effort.
And thank you for, you know, reminding us the urgency of this crisis. It is an urgent crisis, and we all have to do considerably more.
PRESIDENT EL-SISI: Yes.
PRESIDENT BIDEN: And that’s why we sent our best — Secretary Kerry, who’s forgotten more about the environment and what we need to do than most people know.
And Egypt has been, by the way, a key mediator, and I appreciate what we were able to do with regard to Gaza and the strong counterterrorism partnership that we’ve established.
In the face of — in the face of Russia’s war in Ukraine, Egypt has spoken up strongly at the United Nations, and that is appreciated very much as well.
Today, we’re also going to discuss a full range of bilateral issues, some of which you referenced, and — to preserving our strong defense partnership, to pursuing a more integrated Middle East, and continuing our dialogue on human rights. And I’m glad to hear your commission.
And I look forward to our conversation. You know, as we were saying walking down the hall, it’s hard to believe but it’s been 100 years since there’s been this strong relationship.
PRESIDENT EL-SISI: Yes.
PRESIDENT BIDEN: So I hope by the end of the commemoration of this year, we can even say we’re closer and stronger in every way.
PRESIDENT EL-SISI: Yes.
PRESIDENT BIDEN: Thank you for having me.
PRESIDENT EL-SISI: Pleasure. Pleasure.
White House.gov. 11/11/2022.
The White House posted the following meeting readout:
President Biden met today with President El-Sisi on the margins of the 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 27) in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. President Biden congratulated President El-Sisi on hosting COP 27, and the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to accelerating global efforts to tackle the climate crisis. President Biden and President El-Sisi also emphasized their mutual commitment to the multifaceted U.S.-Egypt strategic partnership. President Biden expressed the United States’ solidarity with Egypt in the face of the global economic and food security challenges caused by Russia’s war on Ukraine, as well as his support for Egypt’s water rights. The President raised the importance of human rights and respect for fundamental freedoms. The two leaders also consulted on regional security challenges, opportunities to de-escalate conflicts, and the decades-long U.S.-Egypt defense partnership.
White House.gov. 11/11/2022.
From his COP27 remarks:
President Biden: From my first days in office, my administration has led with a bold agenda to address the climate crisis and increase energy security at home and around the world. We immediately rejoined the Paris Agreement. We convened major climate summits and reestablished — (applause) — I apologize we ever pulled out of the agreement — we established Major Economi- — Major Economies Forum to spur countries around the world to raise — raise their climate ambitions.
President Biden: If we’re going to win this fight, every major emitter nation needs align with the 1.5 degrees. We can no longer plead ignorance to the consequences of our actions or continue to repeat our mistakes. Everyone has to keep accelerating our efforts throughout this decisive decade.
President Biden: For all the work that remains to be done, we have to put down significant markers of progress. The United States has taken enduring steps to meet our goals. We’re delivering on our promise of leadership, and more and more of the world is standing with us.
His Weekend Tweeting Total; 15 tweets and 0 retweets.
Saturday’s Tweets:
The 31 second video clip is snips taken from his COP27 remarks:
President Biden: And so this gathering must be the moment to recommit our future and to our shared capacity to write a better story for the world. Let’s build on our global climate progress, raising above our ambitions and the speed of our efforts. The science is devastatingly clear. We have to make vital progress by the end of this decade. And that’s why the United States is rallying the world around climate game-changers.
The White House posted the following fact-sheet; President Biden and ASEAN Leaders Launch the U.S.-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
At the 10th annual U.S.-ASEAN Summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, President Biden and the ASEAN leaders will elevate U.S.-ASEAN relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP). President Biden will also attend the annual East Asia Summit, further demonstrating the United States’ prioritization of the Indo-Pacific and the ASEAN-led regional architecture.
At both summits, President Biden will reaffirm the United States’ strong support for ASEAN centrality and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, building on the historic success of the first-ever U.S.-ASEAN Special Summit in Washington, DC earlier this year. President Biden will review implementation of the many new U.S.-ASEAN initiatives he has launched with ASEAN leaders over the past year, and he will also announce several new initiatives designed to supportthe four pillars of the ASEAN Outlook: maritime cooperation, connectivity, the UN sustainable development goals, and economic cooperation.
White House.gov. 11/12/2022.
OUR COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP
Expanding our Diplomatic Architecture: President Biden has overseen an unprecedented expansion in U.S.-ASEAN relations, marked by the launch of five new high-level dialogue processes on health, transportation, women’s empowerment, environment and climate, and energy, as well as elevated engagement in existing dialogue tracks on foreign affairs, economics, and defense, led on the U.S. side by Secretary Becerra, Secretary Buttigieg, Administrator Power, Secretary Kerry, Secretary Granholm, Secretary Blinken, Ambassador Tai, and Secretary Austin, respectively. Under the framework of our newly established U.S.-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the United States and ASEAN will institutionalize and expand cooperation in each of these important areas, in order to support robust implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific and promote a free and open region that is connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient.
White House.gov. 11/12/2022.
- In May, Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra traveled to Bali, Indonesia for a special U.S.-ASEAN Health Ministerial Meeting, during which the two sides agreed to develop a cooperation work plan and to convene senior officials’ meetings.
- In June, the Department of Transportation led U.S. participation in the first-ever U.S.-ASEAN Senior Transport Officials Dialogue in Bali, Indonesia, where ASEAN endorsed an ASEAN-U.S. transport cooperation work plan.
- In August, Secretary of State Antony Blinken attended the annual U.S.-ASEAN, East Asia Summit, and ASEAN Regional Forum foreign ministers’ meetings in Cambodia.
- In September, the Department of Energy participated in the second U.S.-ASEAN Energy Ministers’ Meeting, institutionalizing a dialogue first convened by Secretary of Energy Granholm in 2021.
- In September, U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Katherine Tai traveled to Siem Reap, Cambodia to meet with ASEAN Economic Ministers and attend the East Asia Summit Economic Ministers’ Meeting. ASEAN endorsed a new ASEAN-U.S. Trade and Investment Framework Arrangement Work Plan to further promote economic relations and trade.
- In September, USAID Administrator Samantha Power co-chaired a special U.S.-ASEAN Ministerial Dialogue on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment.
- In October, the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Climate joined a senior officials’ dialogue on the environment and climate with ASEAN, during which the two sides agreed to establish a cooperation work plan and to hold a special U.S.-ASEAN Ministerial Dialogue on the Environment and Climate in 2023.
- Later this month, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin will travel to Cambodia for the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting “Plus” (ADMM+) where he will coordinate with ASEAN partners on defense matters, continuing the United States’ unbroken record of attending every ADMM+ meeting at the highest level.
Supporting the PARTNER with ASEAN Act: The Biden-Harris Administration welcomes the recent introduction of bipartisan legislation that would authorize the President to extend privileges and immunities under the International Organizations Immunities Act to ASEAN. President Biden hopes to have the opportunity to sign the PARTNER with ASEAN Act into law.
U.S. Assistance in Southeast Asia: The United States is proud to provide over $860 million in assistance through the Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development to our ASEAN partners in 2022. This assistance is supporting climate ambition and the clean energy transition, access to education, strengthened health systems, security modernization efforts, rule of law and human rights, and more.
White House.gov. 11/12/2022.
PROMOTING CONNECTIVITY
U.S.-ASEAN Electric Vehicle Initiative: Today, President Biden launched the U.S.-ASEAN Electric Vehicle Initiative, through which the United States and ASEAN will work together to develop an integrated electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem in Southeast Asia, thereby enhancing the region’s connectivity while ensuring ASEAN nations can achieve ambitious emissions reductions targets. As the flagship initiative of the U.S.-ASEAN Transportation Dialogue Partnership, the U.S.-ASEAN Electric Vehicle Initiative will:
White House.gov. 11/12/2022.
- Support the planning, integration, and deployment of EV infrastructure;
- Support the development of an ASEAN EV Implementation Roadmap;
- Provide capacity-building and technical assistance to accelerate the adoption of EVs across Southeast Asia; and
- Facilitate partnerships with U.S. companies and familiarize ASEAN governments and companies with U.S. solutions and technologies.
U.S.-ASEAN Platform for Infrastructure and Connectivity: President Biden announced the establishment of a U.S.-ASEAN Platform for Infrastructure and Connectivity, a demand-driven co-development mechanism through which the United States will support ASEAN initiatives that enhance connectivity across Southeast Asia and facilitate high-quality investment in regional infrastructure projects, under the auspices of the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII). Based in Jakarta to facilitate partnershipwith the ASEAN Secretariat and the ASEAN Committee of Permanent Representatives, this mechanism will supportimplementation of the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity 2025, the ASEAN Interconnection Masterplan Study III, and other high-priority ASEAN infrastructure initiatives.
Emerging Defense Leaders Program: The Department of Defense plans to invest approximately $10 million each year to launch and support a new network of Southeast Asian emerging defense leaders. This initiative will provide training opportunities that will accelerate defense sector professionalization, while building mutual understanding and lasting connections among the next generation of Southeast Asian defense leaders and their U.S. counterparts. Training opportunities will include English language classes, as well as courses focused on international law, defense strategy planning, and responsible defense budgeting and resource allocation. The program seeks to build people-to-people connectivity by supporting an alumni network, facilitating exchanges with high-level officials, and offering follow-on courses and trainings.
White House.gov. 11/12/2022.
ACHIEVING THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
Food Security and Access to Clean Water: The U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. International Development Finance Corporation will invest $57 million in new programs across Southeast Asia to promote food security and ensure access to clean water, including a new “Food for School Feeding” program that will provide meals to 109,000 Cambodian students over the next five years, as well as loans that will provide affordable drinking water to vulnerable populations in Southeast Asia, as well as India, and help the Philippines expand production of organic coconut products.
Resilient Health Supply Chains: The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation will partner with the Quadria Capital Fund III to invest $75 million in strengthening healthcare systems and building resilient health supply chains across Southeast Asia – as well as India and Sri Lanka. This partnership will increase access, affordability, awareness, and quality of healthcare services for low- and middle-income consumers throughout the region.
ASEAN Center for Pandemic Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases: The United States will support the ASEAN Center for Pandemic Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases (ACPHEED), including through USAID assistance and through the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, which is assigning Regional Technical Advisors to support ACPHEED in the areas of workforce development, infection prevention and control, antimicrobial resistance, respiratory disease surveillance, and zoonotic diseases.
ASEAN Center for Climate Change: The United States will support the new ASEAN Centre for Climate Change, based in Brunei Darussalam, including through technical exchanges with the United States’ premier climate experts. For example, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory will provide trainings that expand the Centre’s capacity for decarbonization research, disaster management planning, and other areas of work.
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Disability Rights: The United States is working with ASEAN and civil society partners to launch a U.S.-ASEAN Dialogue on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, focused on implementing the ASEAN Enabling Masterplan on Mainstreaming the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the obligations of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The United States will support complementary programs that support ASEAN countries and disabled people’s organizations to accelerate regional implementation of the ASEAN Masterplan.ASEAN Regional Plan of Action on Women, Peace, and Security: In December, USAID, in collaboration with ASEAN and UN Women, will launch the Regional Plan of Action on Women, Peace, and Security. The plan will build on the achievements of the inaugural U.S.-ASEAN Ministerial Dialogue on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment, and it will be implemented through a partnership with the ASEAN Committee for Women and ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children.
White House.gov. 11/12/2022.
ADVANCING ECONOMIC COOPERATION
Supporting Women Entrepreneurs: The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation will invest $215 million in loans to Southeast Asian financial institutions, in order to support women entrepreneurs and women-owned small- and medium-sized enterprises. These investments will help low-income women access capital and contribute to economic growth, while addressing the credit gap for women-led businesses.
Investing in Sustainable Infrastructure: The U.S. Trade and Development Agency will launch $13 million in new infrastructure project preparation initiatives designed to catalyze financing for the development of high-quality sustainable infrastructure projects valued at over $7 billion across Southeast Asia. These projects will strengthen transportation links and supply chains, promote regional energy security and the clean energy transition, facilitate improved healthcare, and advance digital connectivity.
Digital Economy & Digital Trade Standards: To strengthen ASEAN’s digital trade ecosystem and enhance regional connectivity, the U.S. Department of Commerce will partner with the ASEAN Consultative Committee on Standards and Quality (ACCSQ) to co-develop programs on digital trust and cybersecurity standards. Commerce will convene U.S. industry leaders and the ASEAN Digital Trade Standards and Conformance Working Group to promote good regulatory practices, address cyber risks, and pursue best practices for regional harmonization and stronger interoperability.
ASEAN SME Academy 2.0: In April 2022, USAID launched the ASEAN SME Academy 2.0 in collaboration with the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council. Now, USAID will expand SME support in the ASEAN region to accelerate economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and address the rising cost of living. New resources to strengthen small business recovery will be available in four languages (English, Thai, Indonesian, and Vietnamese) in 2023. Through the modernized SME Academy platform, SMEs will be better equipped to manage cash flow, increase revenue, and leverage digital technologies for growth.
White House.gov. 11/12/2022.
EXPANDING MARITIME COOPERATION
Countering Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing:USAID is strengthening the regional capacity to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing through the Sustainable Fish Asia (SuFiA) project. SuFiA is partnering with the ASEAN Secretariat and ASEAN members to undertake a demand-driven technical service model for the region, a gender equality and social inclusion analysis, with a focus on small-scale and indigenous fishers and youth, and a regional IUU fishing risk assessment.
White House.gov. 11/12/2022.
The White House posted the following Leaders’ Statement on: the Establishment of the ASEAN-U.S. Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
1 WE, the Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United States of America (United States),gathered on the occasion of the 10thASEAN-United States (U.S.) Summit and the commemoration of the 45th anniversary of ASEAN-U.S. Dialogue Relations in Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia, on November 12, 2022;
2 APPRECIATING the United States’ support for ASEAN centrality in the evolving regional architecture and its continued contribution to regional peace, stability, security, and prosperity and to ASEAN integration and the ASEAN Community building process;
3 REAFFIRMING the importance of adhering to key principles, shared values and norms enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, the ASEAN Charter, the Declaration on Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality (ZOPFAN), the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP);
4 NOTING that both the AOIP and the Indo-Pacific Strategy of the United States share relevant fundamental principles in promoting an open, inclusive, and rules-based regional architecture, in which ASEAN is central, alongside partners who share in these goals;
5 WELCOMING the significant growth of our political-security, economic, and socio-cultural cooperation since launching our dialogue partnership in Manila in 1977;
6 HIGHLIGHTING that as strategic partners, ASEAN and the United States have enhanced our dialogue through annual leaders’ meetings (since 2009); annual leaders’ summits (since 2013); the elevation of ASEAN-U.S. Dialogue Relations to a Strategic Partnership (2015); the Special ASEAN – U.S. Leaders’ Summit (Sunnylands Summit)– the first ASEAN-U.S. standalone summit in the United States (2016); the expansion of ASEAN-U.S. engagement and cooperation, including through the existing and the proposed ministerial-level meetings on climate and the environment, energy, health, transportation, and gender equality and women’s empowerment – building on our long-standing ministerial-level engagement on defense (2010), and economics (2002); and the ASEAN-U.S. Special Summit (2022) commemorating 45 years of Dialogue Partnership – where for the first time, U.S. President Joseph R. Biden Jr. welcomed ASEAN leaders to Washington D.C.;
7 REAFFIRMING the goals and principles enumerated in the Joint Vision Statement of the ASEAN-U.S. Special Summit, adopted by the Leaders of ASEAN and the United States in Washington, D.C. on May 12, 2022;
8 EMPHASIZING that the Plan of Action to Implement the ASEAN-U.S. Strategic Partnership (2021-2025)outlines our shared commitments under ASEAN’s political-security, economic, and socio-cultural pillars, and its priorities for cooperation, including trade and investment; maritime cooperation; environmental protection and climate change; digital development and cybersecurity; energy transition; smart cities; public health; good governance and human rights; human capital development; people-to-people ties; trans-national crime, counter-terrorism; supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs); combatting illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing; supporting the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) and Narrowing the Development Gap; and achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals;
9 ACKNOWLEDGING that at the 9th ASEAN-U.S. Summit, President Biden announced the U.S. intent to provide up to USD 102 million in new initiatives to expand the ASEAN-U.S. Strategic Partnership and that at the 2022 ASEAN-U.S. Special Summit in Washington, D.C., President Biden announced USD 150 million in programs for ASEAN that combined with over USD 800 million requested in fiscal year 2023 for bilateral programs in ASEAN Member States, over USD 12 billion in development, economic, health, and security assistance since 2002, and over USD 1.4 billion in humanitarian assistance, including life-saving disaster assistance, emergency food aid, and support to refugees throughout Southeast Asia over the same period of time, will support the implementation of the AOIP and reflect the Biden-Harris Administration’s deep commitment to ASEAN’s central role in the Indo-Pacific region.
WE HEREBY DECLARE TO:
White House.gov. 11/12/2022.
- ESTABLISH the ASEAN-U.S. Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to reflect the ambitious outcomes of the 9thASEAN-U.S. Summit and the 2022 ASEAN-U.S. Special Summit and to open new areas of cooperation vital to the future prosperity and security of our combined one billion people, and task our officials to follow up on its implementation.
- REAFFIRM steadfast support for an open, transparent, resilient, inclusive, and rules-based ASEAN-centered regional architecture at the heart of the Indo-Pacific region that promotes ASEAN’s strong, unified, and constructive role in addressing regional issues of common concern.
- FURTHER REAFFIRM that the ASEAN-U.S. Comprehensive Strategic Partnership supports ASEAN’s goal to implement the AOIP through existing ASEAN-led mechanisms and supports the principles upon which it is based.
- PROMOTE maritime cooperation through ASEAN-led mechanisms by upholding freedom of navigation and overflight, peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with universally recognised principles of international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and promote cooperation and coordination among our relevant agencies, including maritime law enforcement agencies, to collaborate to improve maritime domain awareness, search and rescue, protection, restoration and sustainable management of the marine environment, maritime safety, security and education, as well as to promote sustainable and responsible fisheries, including through possible collaboration with the ASEAN Network for Combatting IUU Fishing (AN-IUU).
- BUILD people-to-people connectivity within the region and beyond by enhancing economic and socio-cultural cooperation including through ASEAN-led mechanisms, focusing on good governance and the rule of law, investing in human capital development, empowering youth and vulnerable or marginalized groups, advancing the rights of persons with disabilities, investing in education, promoting and protecting cultural heritage, empowering women and girls and promoting gender equity and equality, and strengthening the connections between our combined one billion people.
- ADVANCE efforts to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals by promoting complementarities between the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development with particular emphasis on eradicating poverty, promoting the conservation of natural resources and the environment, and promoting peace and prosperity through equitable development and sustainable economic growth, including in the fields of energy resilience; clean and just energy transition and renewable energy deployment; decarbonization of the transportation sector; climate change mitigation and adaptation; health security; sustainable management of water and natural resources; food security; sustainable agriculture, fisheries, forestry, and land management.
- ENHANCE partnerships in economic and technological cooperation, catalyze investments in high-standard, transparent, and climate-resilient infrastructure, including projects under the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025, as part of the regional transformation to net zero emissions, facilitate trade and investment between the two sides to promote resilient global supply chains and seamless regional connectivity, and promote stronger, more equitable, and more inclusive economic growth as well as sustainable development to achieve sustainable and broad-based prosperity in ASEAN and the United States as well as better and stronger economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
- STRENGTHEN practical cooperation in areas of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, maritime security, counter-terrorism, peacekeeping operations, military medicine, humanitarian mine action, and cyber security through the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) framework.
- FURTHER PROMOTE the stability, peace, prosperity, and sustainable development of the Mekong subregion through shared initiatives under the Mekong-U.S. Partnership (MUSP), which complements the Friends of the Mekong and supports the implementation of MPAC 2025 and the IAI Work Plan IV (2021-2025), in support of ASEAN Centrality and unity in promoting ASEAN’s sub-regional development.
ADOPTED in Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia, on the Twelfth day of November in the Year Two Thousand and Twenty-Two in a single original copy in the English language.
White House.gov. 11/12/2022.
President Biden delivered remarks; still no uploaded YouTube videos posted by the White House. They did post a transcript of those remarks.
President Biden and Prime Minister Hun Sen of Cambodia offered remarks before their bilateral meeting:
PRIME MINISTER HUN SEN: (No translation provided.)
PRESIDENT BIDEN: Well, Mr. Prime Minister, you came a long way to the United States, and you chaired a very important meeting and made a significant impression on the centrality of ASEAN to the United States and to all our colleagues.
We have — we have a long agenda today, I know — and I’m anxious to get to it — but from pandemic recovery to tackling the rising energy prices and food insecurity.
But I also want to thank you for Cambodia’s clear condemnation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and for your leadership of ASEAN during what had to be one of the most difficult years. So, thank you for that.
And as I said last year in our
viral[virtual] summit, and again in May, the United States is committed to ASEAN centrality. We are committed to that.We remain committed to seeing the return of democracy in Myanmar and working with the ASEAN to ensure implementation of the Five-Point Consensus that is out there.
We got a lot of work to do, but I’m looking forward to a productive U.S.-ASEAN Summit and delivering on our shared vision of peace for all of our people. And I look forward to the meeting. Thank you again for your hospitality.
White House.gov. 11/12/2022.
The White House posted the following meeting readout:
President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. met today with 2022 ASEAN Chair Prime Minister Hun Sen of Cambodia in Phnom Penh. President Biden expressed appreciation for Cambodia’s leadership of ASEAN during a challenging year. The leaders reflected on the success of the historic U.S.-ASEAN Special Summit in Washington, DC and welcomed plans to establish a U.S.-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership at the annual U.S.-ASEAN Summit later that day. They also discussed the crisis in Burma and ASEAN’s response, underscoring the international community has an important role to play in promoting a return to democracy and stability in Burma, and supporting the ASEAN Five Point Consensus. President Biden also expressed his appreciation for Cambodia co-sponsoring resolutions at the United Nations to support Ukraine against Russia’s brutal aggression.
The President raised concerns regarding the situation at Ream Naval Base and underscored the importance of full transparency about activities by the PRC military at Ream Naval Base. President Biden also urged Prime Minister Hun Sen to reopen civic and political space ahead of the 2023 elections. He also called for the release of activists detained on politically motivated charges, including U.S.-Cambodian dual citizen Seng Theary. President Biden reiterated the United States’ commitment to the Cambodian people and their aspirations for a more prosperous, democratic, and independent country.
White House.gov. 11/12/2022.
The White House posted a readout of President Biden participation in the East Asia Summit:
President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. today attended the annual East Asia Summit (EAS) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. President Biden reaffirmed the enduring U.S. commitment to the Indo-Pacific, with ASEAN at its center. The President reviewed efforts to deliver on his vision for an Indo-Pacific region that is free and open, connected, prosperous, resilient, and secure. President Biden underscored his commitment to working with allies and partners to strengthen health systems, promote food security, address climate change, and accelerate the clean energy transition. He reviewed progress in developing an Indo-Pacific Economic Framework that provides concrete benefits to all of its fourteen members and drives enduring and broad-based economic growth throughout the Indo-Pacific. He also highlighted progress in implementing the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness, through which the United States, Australia, Japan, and India are helping ASEAN nations and other Indo-Pacific partners to undertake marine conservation, counter illegal fishing, and respond to humanitarian disasters.
President Biden also addressed pressing regional and global challenges. He underscored that freedom of navigation and overflight must be respected in the East China Sea and South China Sea, and that all disputes must be resolved peacefully and in accordance with international law. He reaffirmed U.S. support for the 2016 UN arbitral tribunal ruling and noted this ruling is final and legally binding. President Biden also raised concerns regarding the threats posed by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and he condemned Russia’s brutal and unjust war against Ukraine in the strongest terms. He raised concern regarding the deteriorating crisis in Burma, and highlighted the importance of taking further action to increase pressure on the Burmese military regime to implement the Five Point Consensus, release political prisoners, and provide for a return to the path of democracy.
President Biden also commented on U.S.-PRC relations, underscoring that the United States will compete vigorously with the PRC and speak out regarding the PRC’s human rights abuses, while keeping lines of communication open and ensuring competition does not veer into conflict. He reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
White House.gov. 11/13/2022.
Sunday’s Tweets:
See above this tweet…
The White House posted the following meeting readout:
President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. met today with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the margins of the East Asia Summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The leaders reaffirmed their strong support for ASEAN centrality and the ASEAN-led regional architecture. Recognizing that current regional and global challenges require close and strong security cooperation, the two leaders discussed U.S.-Australia Alliance priorities and the AUKUS security partnership with the United Kingdom. President Biden thanked the Prime Minister for standing with the United States and the world to impose costs on Russia for its unprovoked war on Ukraine. The leaders recognized the imperative of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. President Biden thanked Prime Minister Albanese for his leadership in tackling the climate crisis, highlighting the climate and energy transition partnership as a new pillar of the U.S.-Australia relationship and emphasizing the importance of our climate ambitions from the COP 27 this week. Because the future of the United States, Australia and the Indo-Pacific region are inextricably linked, the two leaders emphasized the importance of the new Partners in the Blue Pacific to help address challenges in the Pacific such as climate change, and bolster maritime domain security, pandemic preparedness and economic resilience. Underscoring the importance of the U.S.-Australia relationship in addressing a host of critical issues, President Biden told Prime Minister Albanese he looked forward to a very successful Quad Leaders’ Summit in 2023, when Australia will host.
White House.gov. 11/13/2022.
The White House posted their remarks prior to the trilateral meeting:
PRESIDENT BIDEN: Prime Minister Kishida, President Yoon, it’s great to see you both again. And, Mr. President, I first want to express our deepest condolences to you and the people of Korea for the tragedy in Seoul two weeks ago. We grieve and stand with you and — and the many families who lost loved ones.
White House.gov. 11/13/2022.
Japan and the Republic of Korea are both critical allies of the United States. And for years, our countries have been engaged in a trilateral cooperation out of a shared concern for the — for the nuclear and missile threats North Korea poses to — to our people. And North Korea continues provocation — provocative behavior. This partnership is even more important than it’s ever been.
We’re also deepening our cooperation and collaboration on a range of other challenges. Today, we’ll discuss how we can strengthen our supply chains and economic resilience, and how we can preserve peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits, and how we can expand our coordinated support for Ukraine, and how we can work toward the common goals of a free and open Indo-Pacific.
And we face real challenges, but our countries are more aligned than ever, more prepared to take on those challenges than ever.
So, I look forward to deepening the bonds of cooperation between our three countries and thank both of you for your friendship as well as your partnership.
And I yield the floor to Prime Minister Kishida.
PRIME MINISTER KISHIDA: (As interpreted.) Again, from myself, President Yoon, I would also like to once again extend my deep condolences to the victims of the painful incident that occurred at Itaewon.
Now North Korea’s provocations, unprecedented both in their frequency and their manner, continue. And we assume that there could be more coming.
So, it is extremely, truly timely that the Japan-U.S.-ROK trilateral summit is being held at such a juncture. And I truly hope that our trilateral cooperation will be cemented further as we counter such challenges resolutely.
Thank you.
PRESIDENT BIDEN: Thank you. President Yoon.
PRESIDENT YOON: (As interpreted.) Following our encounters in New York last September, I am delighted to meet with President Biden and Prime Minister Kishida once again.
In a tragic incident that occurred recently, the lives of two Americans and two Japanese were lost, for which I am deeply saddened and heartbroken.
For the victims of the Itaewon incident, you have given us warm words of condolences. And I thank you very much.
This Korea-U.S.-Japan summit is being held again in five months at a very timely moment indeed. The current developments on the Korean Peninsula and in the region and beyond require the strongest level of our trilateral coordination.
Notably, North Korea, emboldened by its nuclear and missile capabilities, is attempting even more hostile and aggressive provocations.
Since I took office in May, North Korea has launched some 50 missiles to date. And from the end of October to early November, its missile-firing was intensive — one of which flew over the eastern part of the Northern Limit Line and landed in our territorial waters. First time this has ever happened since the division of the Peninsula — an extremely serious provocation indeed.
At a time when South Koreans are grieving in deep sorrow, North Korea pushed ahead with its — with such provocations, which lays bare the Kim Jong Un regime’s true inclinations that completely go against humanitarianism and humanism.
In safeguarding universal values and attaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia, our trilateral coordination remains a strong bulwark.
Through this meeting today, I hope we will step up cooperation among our three nations.
Thank you.
PRESIDENT BIDEN: Well, the trilateral cooperation is extreme, it’s extensive, and it’s real. And it’s not going to — it’s going to be sustained.
(Addressing the press.) And if you all can leave without hurting one another, it’d be a nice thing to see.
The White House posted the following statement on the; Trilateral Partnership for the Indo-Pacific
Today in Phnom Penh, Cambodia at the East Asia Summit, Prime Minister Kishida Fumio of Japan, President Yoon SukYeol of the Republic of Korea (ROK), and President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. of the United States reaffirmed our trilateralpartnership guided by shared values, driven by innovation, and committed to shared prosperity and security. The Leaders commended the unprecedented level of trilateral coordination. Together, in their second trilateral meeting this year, the Leaders resolved to forge still-closer trilateral links, in the security realm and beyond.
The Leaders recognize that challenges of the 21st century require closer cooperation among Japan, the ROK and the United States. The United States’ ironclad alliance commitments to the ROK and Japan and our close, enduring friendships are critical to the security and prosperity of our citizens, the region, and the world.Also, the Leaders concurred to work in a trilateral format at all levels of government to implement our approaches to the Indo-Pacific, a region of vital importance to global peace, security, and prosperity. The leaders will align our collective efforts in pursuit of a free and open Indo-Pacific, that is inclusive, resilient, and secure.
White House.gov. 11/13/2022.
I. SECURE THE INDO-PACIFIC AND BEYOND
The Leaders strongly condemn DPRK’s unprecedented number of ballistic missile launches this year, including multiple ICBM launches, as well as a flurry of conventional military action that pose a grave threat to the peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and beyond. They reaffirm their commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula in accordance with United Nations Security Council (UNSC)resolutions. The Leaders urge the DPRK to abide by its obligations under these resolutions as well as its previous commitments and agreements and call on all UN Member States to fully implement all UNSC resolutions. They reaffirm that a DPRK nuclear test would be met with a strong and resolute response from the international community. Japan, the ROK,and the United States will coordinate sanctions and work together to close gaps in the international sanctions regime to ensure all relevant sanctions are fully enforced. The path to dialogue remains open toward peaceful and diplomatic resolution with the DPRK, and the Leaders call on the DPRK to return to negotiations. To this end, President Biden and Prime Minister Kishida express support for the goal of the ROK’s “Audacious Initiative.” The leaders reaffirm a shared commitment to the immediate resolution of the abductions issue. Prime Minister Kishida and President Biden also express their support for the immediate release of the ROK citizens detained in the DPRK.
At the same time, the three countries will work together to strengthen deterrence. President Biden reiterated that the U.S. commitment to defend Japan and the ROK is ironclad and backed by the full range of capabilities, including nuclear. As the regional security environment grows more challenging,President Biden reaffirms that the U.S. commitment to reinforce extended deterrence to Japan and the ROK will only strengthen. Our recent joint exercises demonstrate our resolve to maintain peace and stability and defend the rules-based international order. The Leaders intend to share DPRK missile warning data in real time to improve each country’s ability to detect and assess the threat posed by incoming missiles, a major step for deterrence, peace and stability.
The Leaders affirm their commitment to stand with Ukraine against Russia’s unprovoked and brutal war of aggression against Ukraine that has shaken the foundation of the international order. They recognize that the Indo-Pacific cannot be stable and secure while aggression rages anywhere; threats to territorial integrity and sovereignty undermine the fabric of the entire international order. They share condemnation in the strongest possible terms of Russia’s indiscriminate attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure and call for the immediate restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. They condemn Russia’s nuclear threats to coerce and intimidate and state unequivocally that any use of a nuclear weapon by Russia would be an act of hostility against humanityand Russia shall never use it under any circumstances. They share determination to ensure that no such acts are ever perpetrated anywhere including in the Indo-Pacific. In this regard, leaders also reject Russia’s false claims that Ukraine is preparing a radiological “dirty bomb.”
The Leaders strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to change the status quo in waters of the Indo-Pacific, including through unlawful maritime claims, militarization of reclaimed features, and coercive activities. The Leaders reiterated their firm commitment to the rule of law, including the freedom of navigation and overflight, consistent with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Prime Minister Kishida, President Yoon, and President Biden emphasize that their basic positions on Taiwan remain unchanged, and reiterate the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as an indispensable element of security and prosperity in the international community.
White House.gov. 11/13/2022.
II. GROWING REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP
The Leaders wholeheartedly reaffirm ASEAN centrality and unity and their support for the ASEAN-led regional architecture, including the East Asia Summit. They pledge to work closely with ASEAN partners to support robust implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, as well as to continue to align their own regional strategies with it. They condemn the coup in Myanmar and the Myanmar military’s brutal attacks on civilians, and commit to continue to support ASEAN’s efforts and to take action to press for implementation of the ASEAN Five Point Consensus, the immediate cessation of violence, the release of all those who are wrongfully detained, unfettered countrywide humanitarian access, and a swift return to democracy.
The Leaders emphasized their joint commitment to the prosperity, security, sustainability, and resilience of the Mekong sub-region and support for collaboration and coordination as development partners and members of the Friends of the Mekong group. Japan, the ROK and the United States, are working to support the Mekong sub-region’s economic and sustainable energy development, as well as promoting a water-secure and climate resilient Mekong River Basin. The Leaders reaffirm support for the sub-regional cooperation frameworks, including the Mekong River Commission (MRC) and Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) to ensure sustainable development and promote coordination among Mekong sub-region member countries and development partners.
The Leaders reaffirm their commitment to the Pacific Islandcountries, and the importance of working in genuine partnership with the Pacific in a transparent and effective manner, guided by the Pacific Island Forum’s 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. They commit to addressing key issues of concern for the Pacific Islands, including climate change; illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing; and economic development.They will look for opportunities to do so individually and together, including through the Partners in the Blue Pacific, and President Biden and Prime Minister Kishida welcome President Yoon’s intent to join the partnership.
White House.gov. 11/13/2022.
III. ECONOMIC PROSPERITY, TECHNOLOGY LEADERSHIP, AND TACKLING THE CLIMATE CRISIS
The Leaders emphasize the importance of trilateral cooperation to strengthen the rules-based economic order to enhance economic security and prosperity throughout the Indo-Pacific and the world. Prime Minister Kishida, President Yoon and President Biden are pleased to launch a dialogue among the three governments on economic security. Our countries will stand together to promote and protect our technology leadership, for the benefit of the region and the world. They will continue toensure secure and resilient supply chains, promote Data Free Flow with Trust, enhance trilateral, regional and like-minded cooperation on critical and emerging technologies, protect critical infrastructure and strengthen resilient and diverse supply chains of critical minerals to elevate environmental, social, and governance standards in the sector. The three countries will cooperate to advance innovation and deployment of emerging technologies including Artificial Intelligence, quantum information science and technology, biotechnology, and advanced communications, including use of open-RAN technology. They will coordinate implementation of their respective initiatives on semiconductor supply chain diversification, research and development, and workforce development. The three countries will stand as one against economic coercion and in favor of sustainable and transparent lending practices.
The Leaders commit to cooperate closely through the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), based on the principles of openness, transparency, and inclusiveness. They concur inworking together to develop a comprehensive IPEF that will deepen economic engagement on priority issues, including the digital economy, resilient supply chains, clean energy, and other priorities geared toward promoting sustainable and inclusiveeconomic growth. Prime Minister Kishida and President Yoon look forward to President Biden’s hosting of APEC next year. To spur economic growth, the Leaders will take measures to empower women with equal opportunity and access to good jobs. The strength of our democracies and our economies depends on the full participation of women.
The three countries will also continue to help the Indo-Pacific region recover from COVID-19, and strengthen health security to prevent, prepare for, and respond to future pandemics. By aligning each of their efforts towards pandemic preparedness, they will work to ensure that the entire Indo-Pacific is better-equipped to confront future health threats.
The Leaders underscore the urgency of tackling the climate crisis, highlighted at the recent 27th Conference of the Parties to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP27). The three countries will work domestically and with partners to enhance global ambition to accelerate growth of the clean energy economy, avert the most catastrophic impacts of climate change, and help lower- and middle- income countries build resilience to climate impacts. All three countries joined the Net Zero Government Initiative at COP27, committing to achieving net-zero emissions from national government operations by no later than 2050. The leaders also highlight the importance of innovation and deployment of clean energy, such as nuclear power, next generation batteries, clean hydrogen and ammonia,and carbon capture and storage as essential to lowering emissions.
[they put a page break here before adding]:
Prime Minister Kishida, President Yoon and President Biden affirm their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific and express their confidence that their trilateral partnership will continue to benefit all its people. The leaders welcome their respective approaches to the Indo-Pacific, and agreed to be in solidarity in pursuit of a free and open Indo-Pacific, which is inclusive, resilient and secure. The leaders agreed to closely cooperate in implementing their various Indo-Pacific Strategies.
White House.gov. 11/13/2022.
The 44 second video clip is snips taken from his remarks prior to their trilateral meeting.
President Biden: Japan and the Republic of Korea are both critical allies of the United States. And for years, our countries have been engaged in a trilateral cooperation out of a shared concern for the — for the nuclear and missile threats North Korea poses to — to our people. And North Korea continues provocation — provocative behavior. *This partnership is even more important than it’s ever been. We’re also deepening our cooperation and collaboration on a range of other challenges. Today, we’ll discuss how we can strengthen our supply chains and economic resilience, and how we can preserve peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits, and how we can expand our coordinated support for Ukraine, and how we can work toward the common goals of a free and open Indo-Pacific. And we face real challenges, but our countries are more aligned than ever, more prepared to take on those challenges than ever. So, I look forward to deepening the bonds of cooperation between our three countries and thank both of you for your friendship as well as your partnership.
*they moved the line to appear after “how we can work toward the common goals of a free and open Indo-Pacific.”*
The clip is 27 seconds long.
President Biden: One thing I’d like you to know is that all the stuff we’ve done, of all the bills we passed, they are just starting to kick in now. And next year things are going to get better. Drug prices are going to come down beginning the first of the year. We’ve passed the law to bring them down but it doesn’t occur until the first of this coming year. So much is going to happen in the next year. That’s going to be good for the economy, good for people, but mainly good for people who are middle class, hard working people. Finally getting a break.
See above for more on his trip…
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