- ASEAN Secretariat
VIVAnews - The United States has been impressed with Indonesia's strong leadership of ASEAN during its chairmanship this year. "I look forward to working with my Indonesian colleagues, and all of my new ASEAN friends, to consolidate and extend ASEAN's recent advancements," said David Lee Carden, the U.S. first resident Ambassador to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
"ASEAN is at the center of profound changes taking place in Asia. The United States is committed at all levels to supporting a robust ASEAN role in realizing the vision of an integrated, secure, prosperous, and democratic Southeast Asia," said Ambassador Carden today after presenting his credentials to ASEAN Secretary-General, Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, at the association's secretariat in Jakarta.
With Ambassador Carden's appointment, the United States becomes the second ASEAN dialogue partner, after Japan, to deploy a resident Ambassador to Jakarta exclusively to oversee relations with ASEAN. In June 2010, the United States became the first non-ASEAN country to establish a dedicated Mission to ASEAN in Jakarta. The United States was also the first dialogue partner to appoint a non-resident ASEAN Ambassador in 2008.
“Proactive re-engagement of the U.S. with ASEAN has reinvigorated ASEAN-U.S. relations. The historic ASEAN-U.S. Leaders' Meetings reflect the U.S.’ recognition of ASEAN’s growing role in global issues. I’m looking forward to working with Ambassador Carden to maintain this positive momentum,” said Surin.
The United States has been steadily increasing its cooperation with ASEAN. Total trade between the United States and ASEAN countries totaled more than US$ 146 billion in 2009, and United States investment stood at over $3.3 billion, accounting for over 8.5 percent of total foreign direct investment in the region.
United States President Obama met with ASEAN leaders in November 2009 and September 2010. Secretary Clinton included a visit to the ASEAN Secretariat on the itinerary of her first overseas tour in February 2009, and will soon return to Indonesia to attend the ASEAN Regional Forum Ministerial Retreat and Post Ministerial Conference in Bali in July.
Ambassador Carden was sworn in as United States Representative to ASEAN by President Obama on March 29, 2011. An attorney by profession, Ambassador Carden has broad experience coordinating complex and high-profile defenses of litigation brought in United States courts and abroad.
According to the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta, Ambassador Carden expects to be joined in Jakarta by his wife Rebecca Riley in June. They have two grown children.
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