MANILA, Philippines – The United States of America on Wednesday announced government strategic investments worth USD 2.5 billion for Southeast Asia, as the country reinforces its commitment to the region, U.S. State Department Secretary Marco Rubio said.
In his opening remarks during the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, Post-Ministerial Conferences and Related Meetings at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), Rubio announced the investment, as the U.S. reinforces its commitment to the region.
“The United States is now going to, as we announced last year and have been following up in the year since our last gathering, leverage all available tools in our government to strengthen these relations. And that includes on the topic of foreign assistance. As part of that effort, we're delivering $2.5 billion in U.S. government strategic investments in Southeast Asia, reinforcing our commitment to the region,” Rubio said.
According to Rubio, the United States is investing because the development of ASEAN is also in the interest of the United States.
Earlier, Rubio announced the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation is investing USD 1.5 billion to establish an investment platform that will expand energy infrastructure across the Indo-Pacific, Rubio stated in his opinion piece published by Manila Bulletin on Monday.
“And in the Philippines, the State Department is working with Congress to invest over $100 million to support infrastructure that will accelerate commercial opportunities and growth in the Luzon Economic Corridor. Together, these initiatives represent over $2.5 billion in investments that strengthen the economic growth and security of both the United States and ASEAN alike,” Rubio added.
SECURITY ASSISTANCE
Aside from the government strategic investments, Rubio said the U.S. is committed to support security in the region through a USD130 million in assistance for the de-mining of ASEAN countries.
“We're committing to support security in the region through nearly $130 million in assistance to ASEAN countries for de-mining, which reflects our commitment to the safety of everyday citizens,” Rubio mentioned.
“We recognize that pragmatism underpins programs and activities in ASEAN, and we want to support a safer and more secure Southeast Asia for your peoples,” he added.
Five ASEAN nations – Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam – remain heavily impacted by historical conflicts, while the Philippines continues to assess ordnance proliferation, according to the ASEAN website.
BOOSTING ENERGY SECURITY
The United States also committed to continue to boost security in the region by supporting the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) market development, the deployment of U.S. grid technologies, and support the ASEAN power grid, building safe, secure, and responsible civil nuclear energy programs, and investing in regional energy infrastructure, including critical mineral supply chains, Rubio said in his remarks.
Rubio also underscored the United States’ commitment to engage on energy-related issues, as it stands with ASEAN to strengthen economies and its people.
“The United States, as I said earlier and I'll repeat again, stands with ASEAN, and we're working together to strengthen our economies and our people through forward-looking collaboration that will ensure that the U.S. is your reliable and durable partner for the next 50 years and beyond,” he added.
