Under Secretary Hooker Co-Chairs the First U.S.-Brunei Strategic Dialogue

The United States and Brunei Darussalam convened the first U.S.-Brunei Strategic Dialogue on July 30 in Washington, D.C., co-chaired by Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker and Brunei Second Minister of Foreign Affairs Dato Seri Paduka Erywan Yusof.  Both sides celebrated the elevation of bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership, building on more than 175 years of friendship.

Under Secretary Hooker and Minister Erywan exchanged views on regional and global issues and discussed opportunities to expand economic, security, and law enforcement cooperation.  They reaffirmed a shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific and to preserving the freedom of navigation and lawful commerce in the South China Sea.  Under Secretary Hooker and Minister Erywan highlighted expanded professional military education through a newly announced International Military Education and Training program and committed to continued collaboration to counter transnational crime, trafficking in persons, and online scam networks.

Alongside this dialogue, Deputy Secretary Landau met with Minister Erywan to discuss expanding U.S.-Brunei commercial ties and efforts to foster an open investment climate for U.S. companies.  Deputy Secretary Landau reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to supporting U.S. companies as trusted, long-term partners in Brunei’s economic development.

The principals committed to follow-up consultations to advance the initiatives identified during this inaugural Strategic Dialogue and agreed to convene again in 2027.