Congressional ASEAN Caucus Co-Chairs Recognize 59th ASEAN Day

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representatives Ami Bera, M.D. (D-CA) and Ann Wagner (R-MO), Co-Chairs of the Congressional ASEAN Caucus, released the following statement recognizing the 59^th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Day on August 8, 2026:

As Co-Chairs of the bipartisan Congressional ASEAN Caucus, we join in commemorating ASEAN Day and celebrating the enduring ties between the United States and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Today marks 59 years since ASEAN was founded through the signing of the ASEAN Declaration on August 8, 1967. Since its establishment, ASEAN has played a pivotal role in fostering economic growth, advancing regional stability, promoting social progress, and strengthening cultural ties across Southeast Asia.

Southeast Asia is home to some of the world's fastest growing economies, and ASEAN and its member states have been crucial partners in advancing our shared interests and values in the Indo-Pacific. The United States continues to underscore this strategic partnership, as demonstrated by Secretary Rubio's participation in the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting last month. We welcome recent initiatives to strengthen security cooperation, expand collaboration in emerging technologies and energy, deepen economic engagement, and combat transnational crime in the region.

The theme of this year's ASEAN Day, "Navigating Our Future, Together," highlights ASEAN centrality and the need for regional leaders to continue exercising leadership and shared responsibility in addressing the opportunities and challenges facing the Indo-Pacific.

We congratulate ASEAN on 59 years of regional cooperation, and we look forward to continued collaboration between the United States and ASEAN member states to strengthen people-to-people ties, expand economic opportunity, reinforce regional security, and promote a free, safe, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.