In Kuala Lumpur, Senior Bureau Official O’Neill from East Asian and Pacific Affairs engaged with senior Malaysian government officials to strengthen ties between the United States and Malaysia. Discussions focused on enhancing prosperity and security through the Comprehensive Partnership, ensuring benefits for both Americans and Malaysians in a free and open Indo-Pacific.
O’Neill led the U.S. delegation at the East Asia Summit and ASEAN Regional Forum Senior Officials’ Meetings in Penang. He reiterated U.S. support for ASEAN during Malaysia's chair year, discussing contributions of the U.S.-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to a secure Indo-Pacific. Additionally, he co-chaired the Mekong-U.S. Partnership Senior Officials’ Meeting, focusing on shared interests in addressing challenges like transnational crime and online scams affecting sovereignty, prosperity, and security in the Mekong sub-region.