On November 1, The US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC) hosted its annual gala under the theme of “Partnering for a Sustainable Future,” at The Army and Navy Club in Washington, D.C.  

 The gala featured a fireside chat between Ambassador Ted Osius, President & CEO of USABC and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), who touched on the strategic significance of the U.S.-ASEAN partnership; security, sustainability, and supply chain challenges in the Indo-Pacific; and the importance of promoting a circular economy in the region.  

 “Sustainability is an urgent goal for our world, and it is one that we can only achieve by working together,” said Ambassador Ted Osius of USABC. “American businesses understand that sustainability is a prerequisite for deeper engagement in ASEAN and this sets us apart from other businesses that wish to invest in ASEAN.”, he added.  

 The gala also highlights the strong and enduring partnership between the United States and the ten ASEAN member countries, which is essential to our shared prosperity and security in the region and beyond. To that effect, USABC is pleased to feature the launch of the sixth edition of the ASEAN Matters for America publication, an authoritative resource on U.S.-ASEAN relations, which can be accessed here. 

 "The United States cannot take its relationship with ASEAN for granted", said U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL). "We need to up our game and be present and engaged in Southeast Asia. As the United States seek alternatives to our supply chain over-reliance on China, ASEAN is the place to go for friend-shoring", she added.  

The gala also celebrates the Council’s successful year of advancing U.S. business interests in Southeast Asia and honors our distinguished ASEAN Ambassadors and diplomats who work tirelessly to further strengthen the U.S.-ASEAN relationship.   

 The gala dinner was generously sponsored by Freeport McMoRan, Corteva, and UPS.