The U.S. Raises a Fund of $35.3mn for ASEAN Public Health to Combat Covid-19

According to Ministry of Foreign Affairs report, on 23 April 2020, H.E. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, has attended the Special ASEAN-U.S. Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on Covid-19 via video conference to discuss enhancing cooperation in public health and at the meeting, the United States Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo announced the U.S.-ASEAN Health Futures, the public health emergency assistance to ASEAN Member States totaling USD 35.3 million to combat Covid-19 and the plan to elevate the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to serve as a regional mechanism to support prevention and monitor future possible outbreaks in ASEAN.

 

The meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment to enhanced cooperation in public health in a concrete manner and exchanged views on the various measures undertaken to respond to Covid-19 and its socio-economic impacts. 

 

This was the first Special Meeting between ASEAN Foreign Ministers and the U.S. Secretary of State via video conference on COVID-19 which reaffirms the U.S.’ role as a key Strategic Partner of ASEAN.  The cooperation, assistance and initiatives extended and proposed by the U.S. are of great benefit to ASEAN in responding to Covid-19 and in enhancing ASEAN preparedness for future public health emergencies.