A platform for high-level discussions on critical issues shaping the future of ASEAN-US relations. Bringing together government officials, diplomats, researchers and policy experts these dialogues explore key challenges and opportunities in priority policy areas for the US and ASEAN.
The 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting Debrief with Deputy Assistant Secretary Hunt VanderToll
Philippines ASEAN Chairship 2026: Advancing Regional Resilience and U.S.–ASEAN Collaboration
U.S.-ASEAN Spring Reception on the Sidelines of World Bank – IMF Spring Meeting
ASEAN Summit Debrief with Assistant Secretary Michael George DeSombre.
Philippines BOI Delegation Visit
Roundtable Discussion: Small Enterprises, Big Targets: Cybersecurity and Asia’s Economic Backbone
Joint Event with US-ASEAN Young Professional Association: Dialogue on Economic Diplomacy
Partners for Peace, Prosperity and People with Dr. Kao Kim Hourn - ASEAN Secretary General
The U.S.-ASEAN Center hosted Deputy Assistant Secretary for Southeast Asia and ASEAN Affairs Hunt VanderToll for a closed-door roundtable on key takeaways from the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM-59), the Post Ministerial Conference, and the ASEAN Regional Forum. Experts from the private sector, think tanks, research institutions, and academia discussed regional trends, U.S. engagement with ASEAN, and priorities to watch in the months ahead.
Deputy Assistant Secretary VanderToll highlighted U.S. commitments to the region across economic and security priorities, including a US$2.5 billion investment package supporting energy, strategic infrastructure, emerging technologies, and regional development. The discussion also covered maritime security, efforts to combat IUU fishing, scams and cybercrime, developments in Myanmar, the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords, and the importance of ASEAN centrality.
The U.S.-ASEAN Center remains committed to connecting government, industry, academia, and the policy community to advance shared U.S.-ASEAN priorities for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.
The U.S.-ASEAN Center, in partnership with the Embassy of the Philippines in the United States and the U.S.-Philippines Society, convened “Philippines ASEAN Chairship 2026: Advancing Regional Resilience and U.S.-ASEAN Collaboration” in Washington, D.C.
Nearly 100 diplomats, government officials, industry leaders, academics, and experts gathered to discuss the Philippines’ 2026 ASEAN Chairship under the theme “People, Peace, and Prosperity.” Discussions focused on opportunities to strengthen U.S.-ASEAN cooperation in digital transformation, emerging technologies, maritime security, and resilient supply chains.
The program featured keynote remarks from H.E. Jose Manuel G. Romualdez, Ambassador of the Philippines to the United States, and Mimi Wang, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary and Director of the Office of Southeast Asia at the U.S. Department of State. Panelists from government, industry, and academia also shared perspectives on regional cooperation, innovation, and public-private partnerships to support ASEAN’s continued growth and resilience.
The U.S.-ASEAN Center hosted its Spring Reception alongside the IMF–World Bank Spring Meetings, bringing together a distinguished group of leaders and stakeholders committed to strengthening ties between the United States and Southeast Asia.
The Center was honored to welcome Deputy Assistant Secretary Hunt VanderToll and His Excellency Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez, Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines to the United States, who delivered keynote remarks. Their messages underscored the enduring importance of U.S.-ASEAN relations and highlighted the Philippines’ chairship of ASEAN this year.
The reception convened representatives from the U.S. government, ASEAN embassies, the private sector, and leading voices from academia and policy institutions across Washington, DC and Southeast Asia, fostering dialogue and collaboration across sectors. The event recognized and celebrated the achievements of 14 outstanding ASEAN Fulbright Scholars, whose research is advancing U.S.-ASEAN engagement and offering innovative approaches to shared regional and global challenges.
The US-ASEAN Center at Arizona State University met with the Secretary of Hanoi People’s Committee and Deputy Minister of Science and Technology on the sideline of Board of Peace Summit in Washington D.C. to discuss collaboration with the city of Hanoi in training the workforce for Vietnam on semiconductor and microelectronics education and support the country’s roadmap to advance research and talent development. The meeting also explored the possibility to build a greenfield university in Hanoi’s Hoa Lac Hi-Tech park to provide world class education and establish Center of Excellence in the City’s Innovation Zone.
The US-ASEAN Center organized a ASEAN Summit Debrief discussion with Assistant Secretary Michael George DeSombre, Bureau of East Asia and Pacific Affairs, U.S. Department of State. The dialogue provided a summary on the outcome of the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur and an outlook on U.S. foreign policy in the region.
The event was attended by ASEAN-focused corporate executives, policy practitioners, and academic experts. The Assistant Secretary shared insightful perspectives on regional cooperation, and U.S. priorities in working with ASEAN partners for a shared future of peace, prosperity and security in the Indo-Pacific.
On October 28, the US-ASEAN Center at ASU welcomed a delegation from the Board of Investments of the Philippines. During their visit, the US-ASEAN Center shared an overview of the Center’s programs and initiatives that foster collaboration across Southeast Asia. The discussion explored potential areas for educational partnership between ASU and the Philippines, including curriculum development, technical programs, associate degrees, micro-credentials, as well as joint research and development opportunities.
On Monday, October 14, the US-ASEAN Center, in partnership with The Asia Foundation, hosted “Small Enterprises, Big Targets: Cybersecurity and Asia’s Economic Backbone.” Featuring Anthea Mulakala, Senior Director for International Development Cooperation and the APAC Cyber Security Fund, the discussion shared lessons from the APAC Cybersecurity Fund supported by Google.org, highlighting early success in equipping MSMEs with the tools to detect and counter cyber threats. The dialogue emphasized that MSME cyber resilience is critical to regional stability and global supply chains. Moderated by Director Anh Hoang of the US-ASEAN Center, the discussion brought together representatives from ASEAN Embassies, private sector, and international development organizations, reflecting the importance of multi-sector collaboration in enhancing regional cybersecurity for digital economy growth and resilience.
From May 5–9, U.S.-ASEAN Center Director Anh Hoang visited Jakarta to participate in the U.S.-ASEAN Joint Cooperation Committee meeting on May 9. At the meeting, Director Hoang briefed participants on the Center’s activities and strategic initiatives to advance U.S.-ASEAN relations in areas such as economic and technological cooperation and people-to-people engagement.
During the visit, Director Hoang met with Ambassador Heng Sarith, Cambodia’s Permanent Representative to ASEAN and current Country Coordinator for the U.S.-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, to discuss ongoing collaboration. She also held discussions with ASEAN Secretariat bodies—including the ASEAN Foundation, the ASEAN Economic Community, and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community—on potential joint efforts to further strengthen ties.
In addition, Director Hoang engaged with representatives from ASEAN Dialogue Partner Centers (Japan, Republic of Korea, and Australia) to exchange information, share best practices, and raise awareness of the U.S.-ASEAN Center’s work. She also met with representatives U.S. Universities - Georgetown University and Arizona State University’s Indonesia programs to explore opportunities to deepen U.S.-ASEAN education cooperation and build a stronger alumni network across the region.
The U.S.-ASEAN Center, in partnership with the U.S.-ASEAN Young Professionals Association, hosted a panel discussion on economic diplomacy in the U.S.-ASEAN and international affairs context.
Moderated by Phimmasone Michael Rattanasengchanh, ASEAN Co-Chair of the Young Professionals Association, the event featured distinguished speakers from government, business, and policy sectors.
Panelists included Mary Brett Rogers-Springs (U.S. Department of State), Monica Hardy Whaley (National Center for APEC), and Eric Starr (UltraPass ID), who shared perspectives on how the U.S. and ASEAN can leverage economic diplomacy to deepen cooperation, build trust, and address pressing global challenges. The conversation offered timely insights into navigating an increasingly complex economic and geopolitical landscape.
EAP Deputy Assistant Secretary Andrew Herrup delivered remarks at the U.S.-ASEAN Center on the recent ASEAN Summits to an audience of think tankers, students, and members of the diplomatic community.
After his remarks, Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) Herrup and Ambassador (ret.) Campbell held a discussion with the audience on the ASEAN-U.S. relationship.
Topics included the benefits of ASEAN for the American people, strategies to counter cyber- scam operations, and the development of ASEAN’s digital economy.
ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn inaugurated the quarterly speaker series at the U.S.-ASEAN Center.
Dr. Kao spoke about the “ASEAN-U.S. Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP): Partners for Peace, Prosperity, and People".
After delivering remarks, Dr. Kao and U.S. Ambassador (ret.) Piper Campbell moderated a discussion about the breadth and depth of the CSP relationship and took questions from a hybrid audience.
