February 22, 2023

Duckworth in Indonesia to Continue Work Strengthening Ties Throughout Southeast Asia

 

[JAKARTA, INDONESIA] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today arrived in Indonesia on a Congressional delegation she arranged in her continuing efforts to strengthen ties and reinforce support between Southeast Asia and the United States. Indonesia is the second half in Duckworth’s trip to Asia this week, following a stop in Japan, her first trip abroad as a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Duckworth will meet with government and business leaders, including Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders, to reinforce U.S. partnership throughout the entire region and find opportunities to increase cooperation in areas of mutual interest, such as countering climate change, increasing energy security and ensuring regional stability and freedom of navigation.

“Indonesia is an important strategic partner for the U.S. in Southeast Asia, and I am committed to facilitating greater economic engagement among our nations and expand cooperation,” Duckworth said. “As Indonesia concludes a highly successful year as G-20 President and assumes the ASEAN Chairmanship, I’m here to affirm U.S. support for ASEAN, which plays a critical role in keeping this region as strong as it can be diplomatically, economically, culturally and more. I’m looking forward to working with Indonesia and ASEAN to the benefit of the whole Indo-Pacific region.”

During her time in Indonesia, Duckworth will meet with ADM to discuss the company’s presence in Indonesia and discuss expansion opportunities. In Illinois, ADM recently entered a joint venture with South Korea’s LG Chem, which Duckworth helped secure in a trip to South Korea last year. Duckworth is also hosting a reception for Indonesian graduates of Illinois universities, to celebrate the strong community of Illinois alumni in the region. Duckworth will also meet with senior government officials.

As a Combat Veteran and member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), Duckworth is committed to maintaining the stability of the region. In a SASC hearing last week, Duckworth reinforced the importance of multilateral partnerships like ASEAN and promoting more U.S. partnerships in Southeast Asia to help protect against Chinese aggression.

Duckworth will be joined in Indonesia by Nancy Huynh, Senior Government Affairs Manager, Office of Illinois Governor JB Pritzker.

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