Media Note
The United States and Brunei Darussalam held their Third Senior Officials’ Dialogue on June 12, 2018, in Washington, DC.
Acting Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Susan Thornton led the U.S. delegation, which included representatives and experts from various U.S. government agencies. Bruneian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade II Dato Seri Paduka Erywan Yusof led the Brunei delegation. The United States affirmed its commitment to the U.S.-Brunei bilateral relationship, which continues to grow in multiple arenas.
U.S. and Bruneian officials discussed broader regional developments and security concerns, including the D.P.R.K. and the South China Sea. Acting Assistant Secretary Thornton reiterated the enduring U.S. commitment to Southeast Asia and the central role that ASEAN plays in the Indo-Pacific region.
The U.S. and Brunei delegations reviewed their close bilateral security partnership, including the expanding cooperation in counterterrorism and through joint military exercises. The United States looks forward to concluding a bilateral General Security of Military Information Agreement with Brunei in the near future. The two delegations also discussed human rights, combatting trafficking-in-persons, and opportunities for expanding bilateral trade and investment.
The U.S. delegation highlighted the importance of deepening people-to-people ties, noting the success of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) and Fulbright Program in Brunei. Both delegations look forward to holding the Fourth Senior Officials’ Dialogue in the coming year.
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